Olivia's POV
I was in the Common Room with Mari, who was quizzing me on Arithmancy, when a second-year Slytherin girl I had never seen before approached me.
"Are you Olivia Cain?" she asked me.
"Uh, yeah. What of it?"
"Professor Dumbledore wants to see you in his office."
The girl walked away and Mari looked up from the Arithmancy book at me.
"Ooh, Liv's in trouble. What've you done?"
"Nothing…recently."
She laughed but I didn't think it was all that funny.
"Might as well go see what's up," she said, "The headmaster will find you sooner or later and I hear sooner is generally better."
"Alright. At least I won't have to study anymore."
"Oh we'll be finishing when you get back. I need this review as much as you do- I have NEWT exams coming up."
"Oh alright. See you later then."
I made my way out of the dungeons and up the Grand Staircase until I reached Dumbledore's office. I knocked on the door nervously.
"Come in, Miss Cain," said Dumbledore's voice. He sounded very serious. I pushed the door open cautiously to find Dumbledore sitting at his desk with Snape sitting across fro him. My heart gave a jolt- Snape hadn't told Dumbledore about Lupin and I, had he? I knew that he knew, but he had never said anything before. I had blindly trusted him not to. He wouldn't betray my trust…would he?
Snape stood and offered me the seat, but I shook my head.
"Olivia," Snape began, sounding uncertain, "…Something has happened."
"…What do you mean?" I inquired, "What's happened?"
"An accident. A car accident. Your Mother and Ryan…" he trailed off. I stared at him, numb in disbelief.
"They're…dead?"
He nodded helplessly. I felt something akin to nausea rise up inside of me, along with tears. I turned and fled Dumbledore's office. I barely heard when they called after me.
I ran blindly, almost falling on the stairs several times. I guess I was heading for the forest, but I stopped when I heard Lupin's voice call my name. I turned and ran down the corridor where he stood just outside his office. Tears began to pour down my face as I threw myself into his arms. Alarmed, he put his arms around me and pulled me into his office, shutting the door behind us.
"What happened?" he asked me, patting my back.
"Ellen…" I sobbed, but that's all I could manage. He seemed to get it though. He held me close as I sobbed into his chest.
"It's going to be okay, Turtle," he murmured, pressing a kiss on top of my head.
No, I thought to myself, still sobbing, It's really not going to be okay.
Snape's POV
I left Albus' office after Olivia ran out, wondering what I should do. I couldn't go to her and comfort her. She wouldn't want me to. I'd probably screw up anyway and either say or do something wrong.
Then it dawned on me what I could do to comfort her…but I really, really didn't want to do it. Still, Olivia needed someone and there was only one person I knew she would want near her. I took a deep breath, set aside my grudges- temporarily, of course- and headed in the direction of Lupin's office.
By the time I reached the floor his office was on, I knew what I was going to do. I was going to walk in, say 'I think Olivia needs you. Her Mother was in an accident.' Then I was going to leave without saying anything else, without even looking at him if I could help it.
When I opened the door to his office however, I found that my efforts were wasted- Olivia was already there, her face buried in his chest while Lupin stroked her hair and kissed her. He noticed me standing three and glared at me over her shoulder. I wasn't concerned about him however- my attention was focused on Olivia, who did seem calmer and had almost stopped crying.
"Oh. Right then. Good," I said, feeling idiotic. I turned on my heel and walked out, letting the door close behind me.
I made my way back to my office in the dungeons. I locked the door, not wanting to be disturbed, then sat at my desk to think about what Albus had said. Should I really step up to become her guardian? Was it the wisest decision? Considering my feelings for her, it was sure to be painful for me… but I had managed it over the Summer and during the school year.
Of course I would do it. I had been protecting her since she was born. I wouldn't let it all go to waste now by letting her get sent to some crummy orphanage. She needed me now more than ever.
Then a thought occurred to me- what if Olivia didn't want me to take her in? I shook my head- I'd burn that bridge if I came to it. I'd ask Olivia if she wanted to stay with me…but not now. Definitely not now. I'd give her time to grieve. I had until he end of the school year.
Olivia's POV
I spent the rest of May in a depressed daze. I had taken to listening to the radio Ellen and Ryan had given me for Christmas, rather than to spend my time studying. By the time exams rolled around in June, I had to take a Concentration Potion just to keep my mind from wandering on exam day. Brewing potions was the only thing that kept me distracted. I spent increasingly more time silently brewing potions with Snape than I did talking to Lupin.
On the last day of exams, there was a definite air of relief around the castle. History of Magic was my final OWL exams and I left the testing area feeling that I could've done better, but at least if I totally blew it, I wouldn't have to take the subject anymore.
Most everyone was out on the grounds, relaxing or playing Frisbee. Even Mari could be seen down by the lake, laying in the grass. For a moment, I considered joining her. Then, remembering that tonight was the full moon, I headed inside, down to the dungeons to work on the Wolfsbane Potion.
Snape was in the Potions classroom when I found him, sitting at his desk. There were several vials of potions on his desk. One of them looked like green-brown sludge.
"What's this supposed to be?" I asked dully, picking it up to look at it.
"They're all supposed to be Invigoration Draught- less than half of them actually are."
A ghost of a smile flitted across my face.
"Was mine one of them?"
"Of course. I've already graded yours."
"What did I make?"
"You'll have to wait until the end of Summer to find out, like everyone else. Would you like to help me grade?"
"May as well," I replied.
We had gone through half of the remaining potions when Snape spoke.
"I've been postponing asking you this for quite a while, but…" he didn't look up from the potion he was concentrating on, "There is the issue of where you will stay when not at Hogwarts. Since Ellen had no beneficiary, you're likely to be placed in an orphanage…unless…you'd rather come and stay with me."
I studied him silently. He was careful not to look up at me.
"Not much of a choice, is it?" I said dryly, "…I pick you. Or rather- I don't pick the orphanage."
"Right," he said and didn't mention it again.
Later, after we had finished grading the potions, we went to work on the Wolfsbane. When it was time to take Lupin a gobletful, Snape handed it to me.
"I'm going with you," he said, following me out, "I wanted a word with Lupin anyway."
I shrugged indifferently and we left the classroom.
We looked for Lupin first in the Defense Against the Dark Arts classroom, which was empty, then his office, which was locked.
"Hold this," I sad with a sigh, handing the smoking goblet to Snape who took it without saying anything. I grasped the string around my neck and pulled a key from beneath my robes. Lupin had given it to me last month, if I needed a place to be alone and he wasn't there. I unlocked the door and opened it.
"You have a key?" Snape asked and I nodded, "That is so inappropriate."
I shrugged, knowing he wouldn't make a big deal out of it.
"We can leave the potion on his desk," I said, walking into Lupin's office. Snape followed with the potion. A moment too late, I spotted the Marauder's Map, laying open on Lupin's desk. Snape grabbed it up, pouring over it eagerly. Slowly his expression changed to one of suppressed excitement.
"I was right," he breathed. I peeked over his shoulder at the map just in time to see the dot labeled Remus Lupin disappeared off the map. I recognized it as the path beneath the Whomping Willow.
"What were you right-" I began, but Snape threw down the map and headed for the door.
"Stay here," he said without stopping. Highly annoyed, I sat at Lupin's desk and studied the map. I followed Snape's dot until it disappeared off the edge of the map.
A while later, dots began to come back up the hidden passage, but it was more than just Snape and Lupin. I squinted at the small print beside the cluster of dots- Remus Lupin, Severus Snape, Peter Pettigrew, Ron Weasley, Harry Potter, Hermione Granger…and Sirius Black! I grabbed the map and left Lupin's office. I folded the map and shoved it in my pocket as I ran down the stairs. The gears in my mind were churning- Peter Pettigrew was supposed to be dead. Lupin had told me so.
As I excited the castle, I found that it was nighttime and the full moon was shining over the grounds. Then it hit me- the full moon! I had left the Wolfsbane Potion on Lupin's desk!
The moon made it possible for me to see the lot of them across the grounds. Weasley lay on the grand near Potter and Granger. Snape was floating near them in midair, apparently unconscious. Lupin had already transformed and was fighting madly with a large, black dog- Blackie.
Sirius Black, I thought, realizing what an idiot I had been. I morphed into wolf form. As I bounded across the grounds, I became aware of Lupin's madness and bloodlust as well as Blackie's desire to keep the werewolf away from the children and guilt every time he had to bite or scratch Lupin.
Lupin was hurting Blackie more than the other way around. Potter and his friends did nothing to help- they weren't even running away, they just stood there like idiots. Blackie recognized me as I ran, growling, snarling, and snapping at Lupin. The dog acknowledged me with a tail wag and a whimper of thanks. I could tell he was hurt badly and hoped that Lupin hadn't bitten him.
Lupin turned and ran into the forest when he saw me. I was tempted to stay and help Blackie and Snape, but I followed Lupin into the forest instead. It was up to me to keep him away from the castle and the village.
I followed the werewolf deep into the forest. I could pick up on his emotions on an animal level. I could tell that Lupin's mind was not the dominate one. When it got close to being time for him to change back, I led him towards the castle. He transformed before we reached the grounds. It looked like it hurt him more than usual and when it was over and he was human again, he collapsed onto the ground. Alarmed, I morphed back into human and helped him to his feet.
"What happened?" he groaned, "I don't…where's Pettigrew?"
"I don't know. I didn't see him. I mean, I saw him on the map, but when I came out I didn't see him."
"Shit," he said, heading for the castle, "What about Sirius? I remember him fighting with me."
"He was still there when I chased you into the forest. I don't-what-?"
"Have you got the map?" he implored. I pulled it out of my pocket and handed it to him. He unfolded it and poured over it.
"Harry, Ron, and Hermione are in the hospital wing. Dumbledore and Cornelius Fudge are leaving the hospital…"
"What about Snape?" I asked, trying not to sound concerned.
"He's heading for the dungeons," he replied dismissively, "No Sirius…and no Pettigrew. Come on- I have to see Dumbledore immediately- Sirius is innocent."
"Oh. Well that's a relief."
He paused and looked at me queerly.
"I've been feeding a stray dog in the forest. A stray dog I named Blackie," I explained.
"I see…well, yes, Sirius is innocent."
"Then who betrayed the Potters to the Dark Lord?"
"Peter Pettigrew. He told their location to Voldemort. When he found Voldemort had been defeated, he faked his own death and framed Sirius. He's been hiding for twelve years…as Ron Weasley's pet rat."
We were almost to the castle by now.
"What happened in the Shrieking Shack? Did Pettigrew curse Snape?"
"Er, no. As usual, Severus put his brilliant mind to work and drew the wrong conclusion. He thinks I've been helping Sirius sneak into the castle. I believe it was Harry, Ron and Hermione who knocked Severus out- they all three tried to disarm him at once."
I winced slightly. We had reached the Entrance Hall.
"Can I go with you to see the headmaster?" I inquired. He hesitated, then nodded.
"He should know of your role in tonight's events. You kept me from coming back to the castle."
"And I want to know what happened to Blackie- I mean, Sirius."
When we reached the headmaster's office, Lupin knocked on the door.
"Come on it, Remus," said Dumbledore's voice from inside.
Lupin opened the door and went inside. I followed. When the headmaster saw me, he smiled kindly.
"I see you brought Olivia with you," Dumbledore said.
"She was a great help tonight, sir. She kept me away from the castle and the village. You see, I forgot to take-"
"I know all of this. I'm quite interested in hearing your version of tonight's events, Remus. However, I am curious- how was Olivia able to control an untamed werewolf?"
Lupin glanced at me hesitantly. I stepped forward and morphed into wolf form. Dumbledore didn't seem surprised, but smiled.
"I thought so. Now, there is a story that needs telling, Remus. Let us hear it."
Dumbledore and I sat silently while Lupin recounted all that had happened in the Shrieking Shack. He finished with me chasing him into the forest.
"What happened to Sirius?" Lupin asked, "The dementors didn't-?"
Dumbledore held up his hand to silence him. He looked at me.
"Is that the only role you played, Olivia?" he asked me.
"No sir. I've been feeding Sirius in the forest. Only, I didn't know. I thought he was just a stray dog. Can you please tell us what happened to him, sir?"
"Sirius is fine. Unfortunately, most people still think he is guilty, since Pettigrew escaped as well."
I felt relieved. Lupin's face relaxed, though a shadow crossed over it at the mention of Pettigrew's name.
"What're we going to do about Pettigrew?" he asked.
"I'm afraid there is nothing we can do, Remus, except hope that he does not find his old master. Could I have a word with Olivia? Alone, please, Remus?"
"Of course," said Lupin, standing up.
"Wait outside, if you will," Dumbledore said and Lupin nodded and left the room.
Dumbledore didn't say anything for quite a while, just looked at me. Finally he spoke.
"Has Severus discussed your living arrangements with you?"
"…Yes. I'm going to stay with him over the Summer."
"Excellent," he said, seemingly pleased, "How is your Potions work coming along?"
"Er, well, I've created a few potions…they work and I sell them to my classmates," I replied, wondering why he was asking.
"That's good. Very good. You're aspiring to a career in Potions no doubt?"
"Yes sir. It's always been my dream to become a wizard veterinarian. Do you know what a veterinarian is? They only have them in the Muggle World."
"I know what a veterinarian is," he said, smiling.
"I thought you would."
"It is a very good goal. You know there are several careers similar to that in the Wizarding World- there are people who handle different animals. Shops that sell animals…even the Care of Magical Creatures teaching position here at Hogwarts."
"I want to concentrate on helping sick animals. That's what my potions are for…Sirius has helped me a lot, showing me the different plants that animals use for fleas or eat when they are sick."
"Would you be interested in getting a part-time job, possibly at St. Mungo's?"
"Well…yeah."
"Perhaps we can arrange an internship for you next year."
"That'd be great."
"Right. Well, I'm sure you want to get some sleep. It's been a long night. You may return to your dormitory. And send Remus in on your way out."
"Yes sir. Thank you, sir."
I left Dumbledore's office. Lupin was standing in the corridor, leaning against the wall wearily. I smiled at him slightly.
"Goodnight Lupin."
"Night Turtle," he replied, walking past me into Dumbledore's office.
I made my way down to the dungeons. I paused as I passed Snape's office. He had been up when Lupin and I had looked at the Marauder's Map.
I knocked on the door.
"What?" snapped a voice from inside. I pushed the door open nervously. Snape was sitting at his desk. His face was livid, but he looked like he was fighting to control it.
"Are you okay?" I asked cautiously.
"Just peachy," he retorted, "…I caught Sirius Black! I was going to be famous. The Minister himself said Order of Merlin, first class. But Black escaped. Again. I just know Potter had something to do with this!"
"But Black is innocent."
He glared at me.
"Of course you'd believe Lupin's tripe. I still say he's been helping Black."
"Dumbledore believes him," I said unhelpfully.
He shot me another look.
"Go to bed," he said, irritated.
"No," I said defiantly, "…I came to make sure you were okay. Last time Is aw you, you were floating in midair."
"Potter and his friends knocked me out."
"I heard. Did they get in trouble?"
"No. …I said Black had Confunded them."
I smiled slightly- he had done another nice thing.
"Are you sure you feel okay though? Three Disarming spells at once…"
"I do have a headache," he admitted, touching his head gingerly. I nodded and disappeared into the store cupboard, emerging a moment later with a simply Sleeping Draught.
"You should drink this and get some sleep," I said to him, setting the potion on the desk, "It's only a few hours until morning."
"Fine," he muttered, not looking at me, "I'll drink it. Will you go away now?"
"Fine," I said and I turned and left the room.
I slept until almost lunchtime the next morning, which is when I was awakened by Mari, who flopped down on my bed.
"Did you know?" she demanded.
"Know what?" I murmured sleepily, blinking up at her.
"That Professor Lupin is a werewolf!" she exclaimed.
I bolted upright, nearly knocking her off the bed.
"Where did you hear that?" I demanded.
"Snape told everyone at breakfast this morning. The whole school knows. He seemed pretty pissed. Did you know?"
"…Yes. I was sworn to secrecy…and so was Snape. Dumbledore's going to be furious," I said, "Where's Lupin?"
"Rumor has it, he's locked himself up in his office."
"I have to see him," I said, getting out of bed. I dressed quickly in Muggle clothes- jean shorts and a black t-shirt. I ran a brush through my long red hair, jammed shoes on my feet, and hurried out of the dormitory.
There were people relaxing all around the common Room. Several times I heard the word werewolf, which only made me hurry even more. I threw open the door to the Common Room and rushed out…almost running headfirst into Albus Dumbledore.
"Olivia," he said with a nod of his head, "You've just heard what Severus did, no doubt?"
"Yes. I'll be going to deal with him in a moment," I said angrily, "…but first I have to go see Lupin."
"He's in his office. Packing, I believe."
"Packing?" I repeated in disbelief.
"Yes. He plans to leave. I told him he could stay, but-"
I didn't need to hear more. I ran for the stairs.
"Olivia," Dumbledore said loudly and I was forced to stop and turn around.
"Sir?"
"Come see me in my office after you talk to Remus. Before you go see Severus."
"Yes sir," I said and hurried off before he could say anything else.
I knocked on the door of Lupin's office. When he didn't answer, I used the key around my neck to unlock the door. He wasn't in his office, but the door to his bedroom was open and I could hear him moving about. He stuck his head out the door and looked at me. I closed the door behind me.
"You're leaving?" I said, leaning against the door.
"I have to. …What happened last night must never happen again. I could've bitten someone. I could've killed someone. Besides, everyone knows now. Can you imagine the parent's reaction?"
"But…I don't want you to go," I said, feeling choked up, "I'll miss you. I…"
I wanted to say 'I love you' but the look on his face stopped me.
"Olivia…you knew this would happen eventually. You said so yourself. It was fun while it lasted, but it was just a fling. Nothing more."
"Just a fling," I repeated, "Right."
His words hurt me, but I fought to keep it from showing.
"Right. Would you like to go with me to release the grindylow?"
"…Sure."
There were several students out on the grounds when Lupin and I levitated the grindylow out to the lake. Most of them squealed and ran away. A few older students jeered at him, but he pretended it didn't bother him. One Slytherin third year even went so far as to throw rocks at him, but slunk out of sight after a few choice threats from me.
When we reached the lake, Lupin dumped the grindylow into the water. We stood there and watched it swim away.
"Will you at least write me occasionally?" I asked softly.
"…I'll try. I don't know where I'm going to be or what I'm going to be doing."
As we walked back to his office I started to feel sick. Sure he would try to write… I meant nothing to him. I had allowed myself to trust him…to love him…
"I'm going to go," I said when we reached his office, "I'm supposed to meet with the headmaster to discuss me doing an internship at St. Mungo's."
"Sounds like it'll be a good experience for you."
"…I guess this is goodbye then."
He opened his arms to me and I let him hug me, despite the fact that it felt like my heart was breaking…
"Goodbye Olivia. It's been fun…"
I made my way up the numerous stairs to the headmaster's office, thinking to myself the whole way about what an idiot I had been. The last thing I wanted to do now was see Dumbledore, but I didn't really have a choice. When I knocked on the door he told me to enter. I walked in and sat down in the chair in front of his desk.
"Are you mad at Severus?" he inquired. I thought about it a moment. I wasn't really mad at Snape, even though he had brought about the early demise of mine and Lupin's relationship, which apparently wasn't as great as I thought it was.
"Somewhat," I said finally, "I don't understand why he did it."
"He blames Remus for Black's escape. It was his way of getting revenge."
"It was a stupid thing to do…And juvenile- very juvenile."
"Perhaps so," Dumbledore said with a small, somewhat said smile, "…You see, Severus is a case. A very special case."
"Who isn't?"
"He's had a hard life. Harder than anyone would imagine."
"Will you tell me some? …I want to understand him. I really do. Why he acts the way he does…"
"Well…you do have to live with him…. If I tell you, you must promise never to tell anyone that I told you, especially Severus."
"Of course, sir. I promise," I vowed.
"Now, you know that Severus is half-blood, right? What do you know about his parents?"
"Well his Mother's name was Eileen Prince. She was Ellen's Mother's sister. …his Dad was a Muggle, named Tobias Snape. He didn't like magic. Ellen never talked about him much. I don't think she liked him."
"Eileen was a good woman. She was a good student when she was at Hogwarts and she was as good a mother as she could be. She loved her son. …Tobias hated magic and anything to do with it. He was abusive to his wife and probably his son."
"Why didn't Eileen do something?" I asked, shocked, "She was a witch."
"Love makes people do crazy things. …When Severus was seventeen, his parents died. His father killed his Mother, then turned the gun on himself."
"Oh my God," I said softly, "…What happened to Snape?"
"He finished school, then moved in with his Death Eater friends. …He was a Death Eater for several years. He was forced to do many terrible things, all of which he later confessed to me when he decided to turn spy."
"Why did he turn spy?"
"I am sworn to secrecy on that part. …If it weren't for the information Severus provided us with, Voldemort probably would have taken control of the Wizarding World and the Muggle World. It was done at great personal risk- if Voldemort had so much as suspected him of treachery, he would have been tortured to death. Luckily, Severus is one of the most skilled Occlumens I know."
"He can protect his mind from attacks?" I said, remembering a book I had once read on the subject.
"Yes. He can even make false memories seem true. That is partly why he is so good at controlling, or at least hiding, his emotions.
"The point I'm trying to make is that even after all he has been through- and trust me, there is a lot more than what I have told you- even after all of that, he is still good at heart. He does good things. He protects people he cares about…you know what I mean."
I nodded my head slowly, remembering all the times he had been there for me when I was younger. This got me to thinking- why was I so important to him anyway?
"Did Ellen ever tell you how she came to adopt you?" Dumbledore inquired.
"Uh, no."
It's quite an intriguing story and proof of what I just said- that Severus is good at heart."
"It has something to do with Snape?"
"Oh yes. As a matter of fact, if it weren't for Severus, you wouldn't be alive today."
He head my full attention now. I waited patiently for him to continue.
"Let's see…how to begin?" he mused, "…Your biological Mother was a woman named Lynn Rahl. She was a Death Eater. One evening she didn't show up when Voldemort called and Severus was sent to find her. The woman lived quite poorly, so he said, with hardly any furniture in a house infested with roaches and rats. When he got there, he found Lynn Rahl dead with you on the floor a few feet away. You'd been born early, but by some miracle were still alive. He could have done several things then- he could have left you there to die. He could have taken you to Lord Voldemort, where you would have most likely been taken in by another Death Eater. He could have even taken you to an orphanage and left you there. But he didn't. He took you home, cleaned you up, and took you to live with his cousin, where he could- and did, I believe- keep an eye on you."
I was silent a moment, thinking over all of this.
"…You sure picked an ideal time to tell me this, didn't you?"
"I believe so, yes," he replied with a small smile.
I waited a moment, then-
"Can I go now?"
"If you wish. But you mustn't let Severus know you know what I told you. I get the feeling he will tell you when he is ready."
"Yes sir."
Snape's POV
I was sitting in my office with the worst headache I had ever had in my life. There was a bruise on top of my head and I had the sneaking suspicion that while I was unconscious last night they had purposely hit my head when levitating me out. I hadn't gone down to lunch for the fear of seeing Olivia. I knew she was going to be pissed at me for causing Lupin to leave. In fact, I was surprised she hadn't yet come down to yell at me.
Just then, there was a knock at the door. Here it goes, I thought to myself.
"Come in," I said, bracing myself for a storm of fury.
The door opened and Olivia walked in. She didn't look particularly mad…but then again, she always was good at controlling her emotions. She shut the door behind her, walked over, and sat in the chair in front of my desk. She said nothing, but was looking at me in a queer sort of way.
"Are you mad at me?" I asked finally.
"…I'm trying not to be," was her response.
"I wouldn't blame you if you were."
"If you knew it was wrong, why did you do it?"
I said nothing, merely shrugged.
"…What happened to your head?" she asked, frowning slightly. I touched the bruise gingerly and winced.
"Guess I hit my head sometime last night."
"Ah. Hm…" she said, then brought me a potion as she had last night, only a different one, "Drink this."
This time I obeyed immediately, without even stopping to see what potion it was. As soon as I downed the potion, the bruise on my head disappeared and my headache was alleviated.
"My headache stopped," I said, surprised, and Olivia smiled, pleased with herself, "I'm starved. I didn't eat lunch."
"I didn't either. Why didn't you go down to lunch?"
"I was asleep," I lied, "Why didn't you? Saying goodbye to your boyfriend?"
I immediately wished I hadn't said it. A hurt look passed over her face fleetingly and I felt a surge of guilt- why couldn't I leave well enough alone?
"Actually I was talking to Dumbledore," she said coolly, "The two of us were having a nice little chat…about you."
She stood to leave.
"Wait- what?" I said blankly.
"Don't worry- I'll be back," she said, grinning as she left my office.
I sat there in silence, wondering what she and Albus had talked about. Had they really talked about me or was she just getting back at me for the dig at Lupin? She knew it would drive me nuts, thinking they had talked about me, that's why she had said it.
When Olivia returned a few minutes later, she was carrying a tray of food and a jug of drink.
"What is that?" I inquired.
"Lunch," she said slowly.
"I meant the drink, genius," I said, rolling my eyes.
"Oh- apple juice. I'm not particularly fond of pumpkin."
She approached my desk and I cleared a space for the tray.
"Cups?" I asked.
"Damn. Knew I was forgetting something."
"No problem," I said and with a wave of my wand, summoned two cups from the kitchen.
We ate together in silence for a while.
"Where did you get this?" I inquired.
"The kitchens, of course."
"Students aren't allowed in the kitchens."
"Have you seen the house elves? They love me. Eager to please, that lot."
I shook my head, smiling faintly.
Once we finished lunch, I vanished the plates back to the kitchen where a dozen house elves were no doubt waiting to wash them.
"Were you and Albus really talking about me?" I asked as she started to leave.
"Wouldn't you like to know?" she said, grinning, and left.
Olivia's POV
By the end of the school year, all the dementors were gone from around he castle. Apparently a hundred dementors had almost killed Harry Potter near the lake and Dumbledore had had the Minister withdraw the Dementors. On the last day of school I went down to Snape's office after breakfast. He was sitting at his desk, writing something.
"Whatcha doin?" I asked, sitting in my usual seat.
"Writing your class's OWL results to turn into McGonagall. What are you doing?"
"Coming to ask you a question."
"What?"
"Do I have to ride the train?"
"Do you want to ride the train?"
"Not particularly."
"Then you may remain here and Floo home with me later."
"Cool. Come find me when you're ready to leave. I'll be outside probably."
"It'll be a couple of hours."
I left the dungeons and found that the students were lining up for the train ride home. I saw Mari and waved goodbye to her. McGonagall was moving down the line, checking off names. She saw me standing off to the side and nodded to me. I supposed she knew about my going to live with Snape, with her being deputy headmistress and all.
I made my way out onto the grounds and down to the lake. With a heavy heart I recalled the times Lupin and I had spent there together. I watched the crowd of students make their way down the path to Hogsmeade to get on the Hogwarts Express. Once they were out of sight, I morphed into my wolf form, where I didn't feel quite so heart-broken.
A few hours later I was rolling in the long soft grass near the Whomping Willow, a simple animalistic pleasure, when I noticed Snape come out the front door of the castle. I hoisted myself up and charged at him on all fours, tail wagging, tongue lolling. He looked alarmed and pulled out his wand, pointing it at me. Then it hit me- Snape didn't know I was an Animagus! I morphed back into human as I ran. A look of shock crossed his face and he immediately lowered his wand.
"Olivia! You're an Animagus?" he asked in disbelief.
"Yep."
"For how long?"
"A few months."
"And you haven't registered?"
"Uh…no."
"Do you know the penalty for not registering?"
"Death?" I said sarcastically.
"May as well be. The penalty is a stint in Azkaban with the dementors."
"So? I can do a Patronus Charm," I said with a shrug.
"Spending so much time around Lupin has made you cocky- he probably encouraged your becoming an illegal Animagus, didn't he?"
I said nothing but shot him a look that made it clear he shouldn't speak to me about Lupin.
"We'll be taking you to get registered within the next few weeks. I'll arrange a date with the Ministry for you to be interviewed so you can be registered. …Are you ready to leave yet?"
"Yeah- well, my things are in the dormitory-"
"I've already sent your stuff ahead to the house."
"Well aren't you efficient? Yes, I suppose I am ready then."
"Good. Come along."
I followed Snape back inside the castle and down to his office, where a fire was already crackling in the fireplace. Snape picked up the sack of Floo powder from the desk and offered it to me first. I took a fistful and tossed it into the fire. The flames turned emerald green and I stepped into the grate.
"Spinner's End," I said clearly. With a whoosh, the flames swirled around me and I left Hogwarts.
I stepped out of the fireplace in the sitting room at Spinner's End where I was joined a moment later by Snape. He wiped his feet to get the ash off before stepping onto the carpet.
He cleared his throat and glanced sideways at me.
"Uhm…your room is still as you left it. …Your stuff should be up there."
"Right. Thanks," I said, looking at the floor. I missed Ellen and the bookshop like crazy… I even missed Ryan a little. I sighed inwardly, put on my brave face, and headed upstairs to begin what was sure to be a long and difficult stay at Spinner's End.
Author's Note: Now see, what did I tell you? It's not a LupinxOC after all, is it? Muwahaha. Stick around to see what happens next, now that Olivia is living with Snape. Oh and thanks for all the lovely reviews! J
~LittleReporterGirl