"I will not go into detail about the incident that occurred last night", Albus said sternly as he addressed the Great Hall during breakfast, "But naturally, all of you already know what occurred. We are going to great lengths to find the culprit and the reasons behind the occurrence. There is no need to worry, none of you are in danger. So, I expect classes to run smoothly today. That is all for now, continue your breakfast and have a wonderful first day back at classes."
Albus sat down and turned to Minerva, continuing the conversation they were having before he had to deliver the speech.
Severus was inconspicuously watching Abby as Albus gave the speech. She made no changes in her demeanor or any facial expressions, so he couldn't make a decision about whether she had anything to do with the engulfed skull from the previous night.
"Did any of the students look suspicious to you?" Hermione asked from Severus' left.
"I don't know, I was watching Abby for her reaction", Severus replied darting his eyes back to his plate.
"And?"
"She didn't have one. Abby just sat with a blank look on her face. I think maybe I will use Legillimency on her."
"Severus don't. Let's see if any new evidence suffices before you go to such drastic measures."
Severus nodded and went back to eating his eggs.
Abby walked the drafty hallway, heading toward Gryffindor tower.
"And where is your protector at this morning?" Graham said nonchalantly as he walked beside her.
Abby jumped, "What? Do you mean Jordan?"
"Of course."
"Erm, on his way to potions I suppose."
"Shouldn't you be there as well."
"I forgot my book in my common room", Abby replied with a confused look on her face. Was Graham Greyback actually having a civil conversation with her. Could he actually be a decent person and have no ill intentions toward her?
"Well then, I guess ravishing you will be much easier this way", Graham said as calmly as if they were still having a casual conversation and slammed Abby into a wall.
Shit, she thought to soon.
"When will get the point that I can't stand you, let alone want to have sex with you!" Abby bellowed.
"Don't deny your feelings for me, I can see it in your eyes."
"I don't know who's eyes your looking into, but they're not mine!"
Graham swooped in quickly and pulled Abby into a kiss, biting down on her lip hard.
Abby screamed in pain, "STOP!"
Graham pulled back, "That's for all the pain I have ever endured because of you. Keep fighting my advances and there will be hell to pay."
Graham leaned forward and kissed her cheek, "Have a good day, love." He released her from his grip and walked away.
Abby scowled at his back and started heading toward the dungeons.
"What a psycho", Abby muttered as she entered the potions classroom.
"MS. SNAPE, DETENTION TONIGHT, 8 O'CLOCK", Severus yelled as Abby entered the classroom.
Abby jumped, she had forgotten where she was headed. Her feet must have taken her to her destination, while her mind wrapped around the incident that just happened.
"Explain to me, why you are twenty minutes late for my class and have no books in your possession!" Severus bellowed as he stalked toward her.
Severus had been in a foul mood ever since they discovered the fire scene last night. Abby sensed his foul mood so she remained silent.
"Answer me!"
"Erm, sir, I had forgotten my books in Gryffindor tower."
"Which doesn't explain your tardiness!"
"I had went to retrieve them", Abby stopped, she was wasn't sure whether to tell Severus the story about Graham, or not. Abby had still been weary about discussing Graham with Severus, since she was aware that Severus didn't always fully believe her about those situations.
"Which still doesn't explain why don't have the books in hand! Stop acting like a dunderhead and tell me the truth!"
Abby scowled and remained silent. Severus stepped a few feet closer, closing the gap between them, and noticing her swollen and bruised lower lip.
"Having a little snog session with your dunderhead boyfriend?! Where is he?!"
"Erm, Professor, I'm over here", Jordan called from the work bench him and Abby usually occupied. "I've been here the entire time."
Severus scowled, "What or may I ask who were you doing?!" Severus was outraged. How could she be out doing whatever it was she was doing, when there were odd events taking place. He thought she was only making herself more guilty and him look like an idiot of a parent.
Abby was scowling harder now, Severus could see a rebuttal forming on her lips. He decided to strike again before she could speak.
"Or do I even need to ask if Matty made it to class late, as well?" Severus seethed as the words left his lips.
Jordan's face turned red with anger and he scowled from across the room.
"What! How could you suggest such a thing, I would never cheat on Jordan!"
Severus just smirked. "Whatever you say Ms. Snape. Take your seat please", Severus said as calmly and coolly as possible and started walking back to him desk.
"Maybe you should ask Graham Greyback if he was late to class", Abby said before she realized the words left her lips.
Severus stopped in his tracks, the entire class erupted into whispers. Abby closed her eyes, she hadn't meant to say that out loud. She knew the way she said it implied that her and Graham were hosting some kind of ridiculous affair.
"What?" Severus asked as he slowly turned around.
"Nothing. Just forget it", Abby said as she made her way over to her work bench, where Jordan was still scowling.
"I will not! Do not leave the room when class is over!"
Abby spent the remainder of the class trying to explain things to Jordan. He wouldn't listen, anytime Abby tried to say something to him he would scowl and look away.
"Bottle your potions and get out! Except you, Abigail." Severus said not looking up from his desk.
Abby sighed, he was calling her by her first name in class, and Abigail at that. This should be fun.
"Jordan wait", Abby said grabbing his arm before he could walk away.
"Don't put your hands on me", Jordan said angrily snatching his arm away from her. "Why don't you go explain things to your new lover, Greyback."
Jordan spun around and walked away. Abby just watched his back retreat to the door.
"Abby", Severus said as he approached her with his wand raised.
Abby flinched and fell back into her chair.
"What are you doing? I just want to heel your lip", Severus said cupping her chin.
Abby gazed into his eyes and tears started to well. She yanked away and walked toward the door.
"I have to go find my boyfriend and try to straighten this out, before even more ridiculous rumors start flying around the castle."
"Abby wait, we need to discuss Greyback."
"I've had enough speaking with you, father", Abby seethed, emphasizing his title and walking out of the door.
Severus walked into Hermione's classroom, as a sea of students were coming out.
"Professor, could I have a word with you?" Severus said walking toward her office door.
"Yes, of course", Hermione replied, following him.
"I need your advice, well help, well whatever! I Just need you!" Severus bellowed as he paced Hermione's office floor.
"Alright, calm down Severus. Tell me what's going on", Hermione said, perching herself onto her desk.
A few minutes later, Severus stood in front of Hermione, who had a vicious glare on her face.
"Really Severus, you are such an ass sometimes! How could you say something like that about Abby and in front of your class."
"I know, I know. I need your help to fix this. I think perhaps I should speak with Mr. Chambers."
"Oh, because that has worked wonders so far", Hermione said, sarcasm dripping from her lips.
"Will you just help me! I know I'm an idiot, just help me fix this and berate me later!" Severus said running his hands through his hair, " Abby called me father before storming out of my classroom. She's never called me that, I'm always dad or daddy, not father."
Hermione couldn't help but feel bad for him. Severus looked completely lost at having Abby being so formal with him.
"Fine, yes I will help you. Let Abby have the rest of the day to try to sort things out with Jordan. I will grab her after dinner and deliver her to your detention, during that time you speak with Jordan. Oh, and, Make sure you tell him your an idiot!"
"I need to do something about Greyback! I can't let this go all day."
"Do you really think Abby will speak with you now? You asked for my help and this is what we are going to do!"
"Fine!" Severus stomped to the door and bellowed, "I will see you later!"
Hermione smirked as she watched Severus storm out the door, he was incredibly sexy when he was angry.
"I see you have calmed down", Hermione said as she approached the staff table in the Great Hall. Severus had stood and pulled out her chair for her.
"I'm sorry I blew up earlier", Severus responded as he sat down.
Hermione nodded and began to eat.
"Well, I'll take Jordan and you take Abby", Severus said as he finished eating. "You better grab Abby before I make my way over to Jordan, she may hex me if I go near him."
Hermione snickered and stood up, making her way to Gryffindor table. As Hermione approached, she noticed Abby was actually in a rather pleasant mood. She was laughing with Shelly and some of her other Gryffindor friends. Jordan on the other hand, still looked completely furious.
"Ms. Snape, if I could have you come with me", Hermione said smiling down at Abby.
"Ok", Abby said happily and stood up, following Hermione out of the Great Hall. "Where are we going?"
"Just down to mine and your dads chambers."
"Oh, I was just down there."
"You were?"
"Mm hmm, I went to see Talon. I made sure I did it when dad had a class, I figured he'd probably hex me for the way I spoke to him earlier."
"Ahh, you saw Talon. That explains your rather good mood, I assumed I'd find you in low spirits. Actually, the only thing your dad has been ranting on about is that you called him father. I think that made him realize he was a foul for saying those things to you. He's talking to Jordan right now, to help try and sort out this mess."
Abby scowled, "Jordan refuses to speak to me right now. I can't believe he'd actually think I'd cheat on him."
"Boys get jealous and do stupid things, your father is no exception."
Abby grinned.
An hour later, Severus walked into his chambers.
"Where's Abby?"
"Went to put Talon on the perch in her bedroom", Hermione responded, just as Abby was walking down the hall.
Abby scowled at Severus and sat next to Hermione, with her arms crossed over her chest. Abby was still in a perfectly good mood, but was still angry with Severus.
"Abby can we talk?" Severus asked as he plopped down beside her on the couch.
"Why, want to accuse me of being a whore, again?"
"I never said no such thing!"
"What do you think you implied when you accused me of snogging Matty!"
Severus closed his eyes, "Look, I'm sorry. You know I would never say such harsh words about you. I was angry when you showed up to class late, but that doesn't excuse my actions."
"So, does this mean I don't have to serve a detention?"
"No you do not."
"Good, and I think you should have to serve one."
"Really?" Severus said cocking an eyebrow. "I believe the conversation I just had with that dunderhead you call a boyfriend, qualifies as my punishment."
Abby's face went blank, "What did he say?"
"He was being rather quiet. I explained that there is nothing going on between you and Matty, or Graham, I said what I did out of anger. I believe he is going to try and speak to you tonight when your finished here."
Abby glared at Severus and turned her head, to look at Hermione.
"Abby, did you get your lip healed?" Hermione said taking a closer look at Abby's face.
"No, I forgot."
"You didn't get that healed", Severus said gently grabbing Abby's chin and turning her face toward him.
"Did you not just hear me, I said..", Abby said getting really close to Severus face and drawing out her next words, " I...foorrggggoottt."
Severus cocked an eyebrow and Abby started giggling. Severus grabbed her arms and pulled her to a laying position on the couch, her back was on his legs.
"Your not using those Muggle drugs again, are you?" Severus asked, making Abby giggle harder. "Your in a disturbingly good mood, considering the events of today."
Abby shrugged and adjusted herself into a more comfortable position, still laying across Severus.
"It's Talon, Severus", Hermione commented.
Severus made a face and Abby giggles some more.
"You look like grandmum when you make that face."
Severus scowled and tickled Abby.
"Abby, I need you to tell me what happened with Greyback today", Severus said after a moment.
Abby sighed and told him what happened.
"I don't want you alone in the castle, ever", Severus said scowling.
"That's difficult sometimes, dad. I'll try though."
"If your ever alone then come down here or to your Grandfathers chambers. And, floo down here if possible, I don't want you in the halls alone."
The floo lit up green, Harry's face appeared.
"Severus could you step through the floo, I need to have a word with you", Harry said as he noticed Abby on the couch.
Severus sighed, "Yes, of course. But make this quick, Potter."
Severus stepped through the floo and reappeared a few minutes later.
"Abby get your things, Hermione and I are going to escort you back to Gryffindor tower."
"Why?" Abby said suspiciously.
"Because we have rounds and curfew just went into effect."
"What? It's only nine o'clock, it's not curfew yet. And, Hermione has stopped doing rounds because the pregnancy."
"It went into effect early this evening. Stop asking questions", Severus said firmly.
"What's going on?"
"Abby, would you listen for a change! Stop asking questions and come on!" Severus said getting annoyed, as he helped Hermione up and grabbed Abby's hand, dragging her along.
"Fine!" Abby huffed.
"Where are we going", Hermione asked after they took a disgruntled Abby to Gryffindor tower.
"One of the secret passages, that isn't to far from your old chambers. There is another emergency staff meeting."
"What's happened?" Hermione said clutching Severus' hand.
"Potter wasn't too specific. He said we just needed to meet the rest of the staff in the passage."
Severus walked up to a suit of armor, pulling it's arm, and releasing a door to the suit of armors left. Him and Hermione stepped through the doorway, the passage was engulfed in light by the numerous torches that were lit.
"This had to be the work of a muggle born student", Harry said he noticed Hermione's and Severus' presence.
Harry stepped aside, allowing Hermione and Severus to walk up to the scene. There was a small skull etched on the wall, that was once again in flames. Beside it laid what appeared to be spray paint graffiti of the dark mark.
"Was someone brewing a potion", Hermione asked, noticing a tipped over cauldron and remains of ingredients on the floor.
"Yes, that's how it appears."
"Well at least we know Abby has been accounted for since dinner."
"This was brewed earlier", Severus said picking up the cauldron and examining it.
"When do you presume it was brewed, Severus", Albus asked.
Severus sighed and closed his eyes, "Sometime this morning."
Hermione scowled, "Severus, I know what your thinking. You are not blaming it on Abby until we know for sure it is her, and I for one don't believe it's her."
"What am I suppose to think", Severus snapped, becoming agitated. "She shows up to my class late, claiming she went back to get her books and has no books in hand! I'm not saying the incident with Graham didn't happen, maybe it just helped her along in covering up why she was really late. Or maybe, the bruised lip and the story with Graham are a cover up for all I know!"
Albus cleared his throat, "Perhaps the three of us should have a discussion in my office, in private."
"Fine!" Hermione huffed and made her way out of the passage, followed by a scowling Severus.
-Review please!! I started writing this the other day and it just took off, so here it is. Let me know what you think!