Author's Note: Thanks for all the great reviews! You guys are awesome! Here's the next chapter, courtesy of my work's DSL internet. Looove it!
~LittleReporterGirl
Snape's POV
I had returned to the classroom around lunchtime and had found the note she had left me, which only said 'I'm Sorry'. I felt immensely guilty. I was the one who was sorry. I had glimpsed the memory of the dream in her mind and couldn't tear myself away. Then she had seen into the depths of my mind, into the darkest part of me.
It was about an hour after I had told her to come that Olivia came to my office.
"Sit," I told her. She did, without speaking, and looked at me curiously, patiently. I took a deep breath, but couldn't think of how to begin.
"I…I don't want you to be frightened by what you saw," I said to her.
"…Which part, exactly?"
"The latter."
"Oh. I'm not. …You aren't who you were back then. I know you would never hurt anyone…especially me."
I shifted uncomfortably and sighed.
"But I did… and I'm sorry."
"O…kay," she said, somewhat surprised.
Neither of us spoke for quite sometime. Finally she looked up at me.
"Can I ask a question?" she asked timidly.
I nodded reluctantly.
"The first memory I saw…was it me?"
I sighed and decided it was time to tell her.
"Yes. …I should have told you a long time ago. I found you when you were a baby."
"How?" she asked.
"Your mother- your biological mother, that is- was a Death Eater-"
"What was her name?" she asked.
"I- does it matter?"
"Yes," she replied simply.
"Her name was Lynn Rahl. She was young- twenty-something, I think. She didn't show up for a Death Eater meeting one day and I was sent to find her. So I went to her apartment- a small, shabby place. Worse than mine. She had been pregnant. Not like completely pregnant, but a few months from her due date, I guess. I don't really know about such things."
"Naturally."
"Anyway I went there…and she was dead. You were there beside her on the floor. You had been born early. It was really cold…you were turning blue. So I wrapped you in my cloak and took you. I gave you to Ellen and told the Dark Lord you had both died. If I hadn't…well, there's no telling what would have happened to you."
"So…you don't know who my father was?"
"No. Sorry."
"Doesn't matter," she said with a shrug, "…Thank you."
"For what, exactly?"
"For rescuing me," she replied, "…And for telling me these things."
I shrugged uncomfortably.
"You're welcome, I guess. I… Do you want to brew a potion?" I asked her. Anything to steer us away from the awkward conversation.
"Sure," she said with a smile.
We started working on a Blood-Replenishing Potion, which Madam Pomfrey had told me we were running low on.
"Did Moody tell you what you'll be doing for your detention?" I asked conversationally as we worked together flawlessly.
"Lines," she replied, "It would have been worse but apparently Dumbledore interfered."
"Lines? That is good. Doing lines is mindless word, but as long as you concentrate on what you are doing, it should be harder for Moody to get to you."
"Cool," she replied, "But you'll still check up on me, right?"
"Sure," I muttered, knowing it was probably a bad idea.
We worked on the potions for the rest of the day. It never ceased to amaze me how perfectly we worked together, our every movement synchronized. This brought back the memory of the dream I had glimpsed in her mind earlier, vaguely wondering if our making love would be as well-synchronized as our potion-brewing.
I was careful not to let my face betray any emotion as I worked, glad that Olivia could not perform deliberate Legilimency.
After we had bottled up all the potions, it was time for Olivia to serve her detention with Moody. I somewhat wished I could get her out of it, as I had done before, but I also knew that it would be good for her. She needed to have some consequences for her actions.
"Good luck," I said to her as she left the classroom.
"Yeah," she said with a heavy sigh. She glanced back at me over her shoulder and smiled half-heartedly.
A few minutes passed, then I decided to take Madam Pomfrey the potions we had brewed. Some of them she hadn't even asked for, but was still immensely pleased.
"I could use your help aren't here, if you aren't too busy," she said to me. I glanced around the hospital wing, which was filled with students with various ailments. I sighed and inclined my head. At least I would be kept busy.
At eight o'clock I slipped away from the Hospital Wing, telling Madam Pomfrey some excuse about having a student who was due to have a detention with me.
Back in my office, I locked the door and sat down at my desk. I took a deep breath and cleared my mind. It was easy for me to find Olivia's mind, even though we weren't in the same room.
She was concentrating hard on what she was writing- I must learn respect- but when I slipped into her mind she tensed- then relaxed when she realized it was me, which was almost immediately. Her mind was filled with warmth and affection. I almost lost myself in the emotion, but quickly shut down that part of my brain that wanted to respond to and reciprocate the feeling.
How is it going? I asked her mentally, both of us pretending we hadn't just felt what we had.
Boring, she responded with an eye roll.
What is Moody doing?
She projected an image in her mind for me. Moody was reading a book with his normal eye. His magical eye was on Olivia, who had not ceased writing.
Good, I told her.
May I come see you after my detention? she asked, feeling shy in her mind.
I suppose so, I replied uncertainly, then withdrew from her mind.
It was midnight before Moody let Olivia go. I was half-asleep at my desk when she burst into the room without knocking. She looked highly annoyed and frazzled as she flopped down in her usual chair.
"I hate Moody," she said heavily.
"I know," I said with a small, sympathetic smile, wishing I could cheer her up, "…At least he's not as bad as Lockhart."
"I had almost forgotten about him," she said, smiling, "Lockhart was worse- no contest."
"I agree…although at least Lockhart wasn't allowed to search my office."
"Moody searched your office?" she asked, surprised.
"It was the only way Albus could ease his suspicions," I muttered, "…Paranoid old bat."
She yawned loudly and dragged her chair forward so she could rest her head on my desk. She laid her head on her arms and closed her eyes. I watched her silently a moment, not liking the way my heart fluttered in my chest or the strong urge I had to brush a loose strand of her red hair out of her face. I sighed.
"You should go to bed," I told her, "I'll write you a pass."
She opened one eye and looked up at me.
"I don't wanna go to bed- I'm too tired," she whined.
"All the more reason for you to go to bed," I replied.
"Can't I just stay here?"
I crossed my arms and frowned at her.
"You already know the answer to that question, Olivia."
"Of course," she said, making a face at me, "Prude."
I said nothing but continued to frown.
She smiled affectionately and stood, then stretched and yawned again.
"Alright then. Guess I'll see you tomorrow- and you don't have to write me a pass. Moody already did."
"Right. Goodnight then."
"Goodnight," she said and flashed me that killer smile once more before shutting the door behind her.
Once she was gone, I let out a groan and put my head down on my desk. I had to be more careful, lest my heart betray me.
Olivia's POV
On Monday morning when I followed my classmates into the Defense classroom, I calmly sat down in the back of the classroom, next to Daae.
"What've I missed?" I whispered to her.
"We've been studying curses," she whispered in reply, "Particularly the Unforgivable ones. We were to read the entire chapter in the book on them and write an essay."
Moody entered the room then and clunked his way to the front of the classroom. His magical eye fixed itself on me but he said nothing.
"Now," he said to the class at large, "Today's lesson will be a practical one. I know you all must be tired of reading and writing about Unforgivable Curses, so today I'm going to be placing you each under the influence of one."
Everyone glanced around at each other anxiously and murmured to each other. Daae and I exchanged looks, eyebrows raised. She raised her hand.
"Isn't that, like, illegal?" she asked Moody.
"It's for educational purposes. Dumbledore wants you to know what it feels like. If anyone's got a problem with it, they can leave now and take it up with the headmaster."
He looked around at all of us, then focused his mismatched eyes on me in a way that was so obviously a challenge.
I stared calmly, unflinchingly back at him.
"Let's get started then," he barked loudly, "Everyone stand up."
Everyone hastened to stand. With a wave of his wand, Moody cleared the desks. Everyone formed a line, trying not to be at the front.
He ended up calling us alphabetically anyway. I watched as my classmates did odd things under the influence of the Imperius Curse- one hopped around the room like a bunny, another performed cartwheels and yet another croaked like a bullfrog. Then it was my turn.
I stepped up to face Moody, determined not to let him best me. He had an eager look on his massacred face. I could tell he had been saving this lesson for the day I returned to class.
"Imperio," he growled.
A lighter than air feeling came over me, like I was floating on a cloud. This only served to sharpen my mind, however, as I knew it was a most unnatural feeling.
Skip around the room," said Moody's voice in my head, And sing 'Mary had a little lamb'.
No, I retorted, steeling myself against his willpower, Why the hell would I do that?
We fought over it a few minutes, but I succeeded in the end. He lifted the curse and glared at me.
"Damn good job, Cain," he growled, "Someone's been teaching you how to defend yourself. Next."
I couldn't help but smile, feeling very pleased with myself.
After that day, Moody didn't bother me quite so much. I found his classes tolerable, though I missed helping Snape teach the younger students.
As October rolled around, a sign appeared on the bulletin board informing us that the contestants from the other schools would be arriving on the 30th. All around the school, teachers and staff could be found cleaning the castle. The students all chattered excitedly about the upcoming event. Even Snape seemed anxious, though he refused to say what made him so.
On the 30th of October, classes ended half an hour early and the Heads of Houses lined everyone up in the Entrance Hall to go outside and wait on the foreigners to arrive. I walked alongside Snape and once all the students were lined up, I followed him to where the teachers stood. He looked as if he was going to protest, then merely shrugged.
McGonagall and Moody both glared at me, but said nothing after Dumbledore, who stood on Snape's other side, engaged me in conversation.
"Good evening, Olivia. How are you?" he asked, smiling kindly at me.
"Er…good, I guess," I replied, inching closer to Snape. He took a step back.
"Do you plan on entering the Triwizard Tournament?" the headmaster asked.
"No," said Snape before I could respond. I crossed my arms and glared at him.
"We're at odds about that," I said to the headmaster.
"Ah," he said and wisely didn't press the matter.
The sky gradually darkened and still there was no sign of the other students. I sighed.
"What's taking so long?" I complained, "Are we going to be here all night?"
"Stop whining," Snape said and pinched me, "Before I make you go stand with your peers."
"They are so not my peers," I muttered, rubbing the spot where he had pinched my arm.
"Aha! Unless I am very much mistaken, the delegation from Beauxbatons approaches!" said Dumbledore loudly. I glanced around, not seeing anything.
"Look up," Snape whispered to me. I glanced up and saw a huge carriage, drawn by several large horses flying through the air.
It landed at a tremendous speed and hit the ground with a large crash that shook the ground. The door of the carriage bore a coat of arms- two golden wands, each emitting three stars. I watched as out walked the largest woman I had ever seen in my life. I doubted she was an inch taller than Hagrid. She was dressed in black sating and had glittering opals around her neck. Several students, all in their late teens, stepped out of the carriage. They were all female and were all dressed in green silk and were shivering. One of them looked familiar to me…
"It's my friend Brandi!" I exclaimed quietly.
"You are friends with a French student?" Snape asked curiously, "How?"
"I met her at the Quidditch World Cup," I replied.
A shadow must have passed over my face as I couldn't help but recall what had happened after the World Cup- the feel of Lucius Malfoy's hands on me as he whispered obscenities in my ear. Just the memory made my skin crawl.
Snape put a comforting hand on my shoulder briefly, then quickly removed it as the giant woman came and greeted Dumbledore, her dozen students following her. Her name was Madam Maxime and she spoke in heavily-accented English. Soon she and her students retreated into the warmth of the castle and we were left to wait for the Durmstrang delegations.
It was dark now and cold. The only light came from the Entrance Hall and the stars and moon. I could barely see Snape standing next to me. I inched closer to him and pressed myself against him for warmth. He groaned quietly.
"What're you doing?" he asked softly.
"I'm cold," I murmured, "And you are quite warm."
He entered my mind silently.
You must not do this. Someone will see, he said in my mind, attempting to suppress the raging emotions he felt.
No one will see, I retorted, It's too dark. I can barely see you.
I want you to stop. You are going to get me in trouble.
That's not what your heart says, I thought, unable to keep him from hearing this. He withdrew from my mind so sharply it gave me an acute headache.
He took a few steps away from me. I let out a whine of protest.
"I didn't mean-" I began.
"Forget it," he muttered. After a moment he removed his cloak and draped it over my shoulders. I wrapped it around myself. It was still warm from his body heat and it smelled like him. I inhaled deeply and sighed.
A sudden sucking sound filled the night air.
"What is that?" I said aloud.
"Look towards the lake," said Dumbledore's voice, closer than expected, causing me to jump. I looked towards the lake in time to see something emerging from the depths- a huge stick that I soon recognized to be the mast of a ship.
The students began to murmur excitedly amongst themselves. Even the teachers were talking.
"Show-offs," I heard Snape snort. Dumbledore chuckled quietly and I imagined he was smiling.
Silhouetted figures emerged from the ship. They all appeared large and bulky at first but as they stepped into the light of the castle, I could see that they all wore thick fur cloaks.
They were led by a tall, thin man who had sleek gray hair and a beard that ended in a little twist. He too wore furs, though his were sleek and grey to match his hair. I seemed to sense a small disruption in the air and I glanced back at Snape, who was watching the man intently, though not with an air of complete dislike.
"Dumbledore!" the man called heartily as he approached us, "How are you, my dear fellow, ho ware you?"
He had a fruity, oily voice.
"Blooming, thank you, Professor Karkaroff," Dumbledore replied brightly.
Dumbledore shook hands with the man, Karkaroff, who then looked up at the castle and smiled.
I couldn't help but notice that his teeth were yellow and, despite the smile, his eyes were cold, if not a little cruel. In fact, his eyes reminded me somewhat of Lucius Malfoy. A little flag went up in my mind- Death Eater.
I glanced back at Snape again, who was still watching the man intensely as he spoke to Dumbledore. Eventually Snape felt my gaze and glanced at me. I looked at him questioningly. With a sigh, he slipped into my mind.
What? He asked, irritated.
Quick question- Karkaroff, Death Eater or not? I asked silently. He stared at my wordlessly, wondering to himself how I had come to this conclusion. Then he nodded and withdrew from my mind.
By now Karkaroff was leading his student into the castle. The Hogwarts students began to go inside as well. I started to follow, but Snape held me back so that we two were the last in line.
"How did you draw that conclusion?" he asked curiously.
"Intuition mostly. …It was his eyes. They remind me of Lucius Malfoy's eyes," I answered quietly, "I suppose Death Eaters all have the same cold eyes."
"…Have I?" he asked.
"Of course not. You actually have a soul in your eyes- theirs are just empty. Your eyes can be kind and sad… I like your eyes."
He looked at me rather queerly and a blushed, then hurried into the Entrance Hall before anything else could be said. Dumbledore stood together with Madam Maxime and Karkaroff, watching the students filing into the Great Hall. As I passed by, I noticed Dumbledore eyeing Snape's cloak, which was still draped around my shoulders. He caught my eye and smiled. I blushed again and hurried into the Great Hall, doubting that anyone else would notice whose cloak I was wearing.
The Durmstrang students chose to sit amongst us Slytherins while most of the Beauxbatons girls joined the Ravenclaw table, after a moment of hesitation. One of the Beauxbaton girls came towards our table, however- it was the girl I had met at the World Cup.
"Bonjour!" she exclaimed, sitting down beside me, "I am glad to know you are alright. What about Mari? And Connie?"
"They are fine," I assured her, "Mari graduated last year, so she isn't here."
"Too bad. She is going to miss all the fun," Brandi replied brightly, "What of you? Are you going to enter?"
"I'm thinking about it… my guardian doesn't want me to," I said, subconsciously clutching the material of Snape's cloak with one hand.
"Ah, the one you have a crush on? I remember Mari told me."
"Shh. Not so loud," I hissed at her, glancing around. No one appeared to be listening.
Daae sat across from us, but her gaze was focused on the staff table, where the headmaster had just gotten to his feet. He made a quick speech welcoming the guests to the castle, then the feast appeared. Dumbledore sat down and was immediately engaged in a conversation with Karkaroff.
"So, which one is he?" Brandi asked eagerly as the nose of the feast filled the hall.
"He's the morose-looking one, dressed in black, sitting a few seats down from the headmaster," I replied without looking up. She turned in her seat to look at the staff table.
"The one with the greasy black hair and the big nose?" she asked. I kicked her underneath the table. I thought I heard Daae giggle but couldn't be sure for when I looked over at her she appeared engrossed in her meal.
"Don't make fun of him. Besides- I think his hair is sexy," I said to Brandi, "…And he has a good heart."
"He doesn't look it," she said, glancing over her shoulder again.
"He likes to intimidate. He doesn't like for people to know he is a good person- actually, he doesn't consider himself a good person, but he is."
When everyone had finished eating, Dumbledore stood to make his speech.
"The moment has come," said Dumbledore, smiling, "The Triwizard Tournament is about to start. I would like to say a few words of explanation before we bring in the casket just to clarify the procedure that we will be following this year. But first, let me introduce, for those who do not know them, Mr. Bartemius Crouch, Head of the Department of International Magical Cooperation and Mr. Ludo Bagman, Head of the Department of Magical Games and Sports."
There was a round of applause, especially when Ludo Bagman's name was announced. Brandi leaned over and whispered to me.
"He was a famous Quidditch Player back in the day. He was a Beater. You can see where a Bludger broke his nose," she murmured to me.
"Mr. Bagman and Mr. Crouch have worked tirelessly over the past few months on the arrangements for the Triwizard Tournament," Dumbledore continued, "and they will be joining myself, Professor Karkaroff, and Madame Maxime on the panel that will judge the champion's efforts. The casket, then, if you please, Mr. Filch."
The caretaker now approached Dumbledore carrying a great wooden chest that was encrusted with jewels. It looked extremely old and a murmur of excited interest arose from the watching students.
"The instructions for the tasks the champions will face this year have already been examined by Mr. Crouch and Mr. Bagman and they have made the necessary arrangements for each challenge. There will be three tasks, spaced throughout the school year, and they will test the champions in many different ways…their magical prowess-their daring- their powers of deduction- and, of course, their ability to cope with danger," Dumbledore continued. There was a great hush at these final words.
"As you know," Dumbledore went on, "three champions compete in the tournament- one from each school. They will be marked on how well they perform each of the tournament tasks and the champion with the highest total after task three will win the Triwizard Cup. The champions will be chosen by an impartial selector: the Goblet of Fire."
Dumbledore now tapped his wand on the top of the casket and the lid creaked open. He reached in and pulled out a wooden cup, full to the brim with blue-white flames. Dumbledore closed the casket and set the goblet carefully on top of it.
"Anybody wishing to submit themselves as champion must write their name and school clearly upon a slip of parchment and drop it into the goblet. Aspiring champions have 24 hours in which to put their names forward. Tomorrow night, Halloween, the goblet will return the names of the three it has judged most worthy to represent their schools. The goblet will be placed in the entrance hall tonight, where it will be freely accessible to all those wishing to compete. To ensure that no underage student yields to temptation I will be drawing an Age Line around the Goblet of Fire once it had been placed in the entrance hall. Nobody under the age of 17 will be able to cross this line.
"Finally, I wish to impress upon you wishing to compete that this tournament is not to be entered into lightly. Once a champion has been selected by the Goblet of Fire, he or she is obliged to see the tournament through to the end. The placing of your name in the goblet constitutes a binding, magical contract. There can be no change of heart once you have become a champion. Please be very sure, therefore, you are wholeheartedly prepared to play before you drop your name into the goblet. Now, I think it is time for bed. Good night to you all."
As the student began to pour out of the Great Hall, I was curious to see where the Beauxbatons and Durmstrangs would be sleeping. So I donned my Disillusionment Charm and slipped out of the Entrance Hall.
The mystery of the students sleeping places was solved when I saw Karkaroff was leading his boys back to the ship and Madam Maxime was leading the girls out to the giant carriage, which was parked some hundred yards from Hagrid's house. Soon they were all inside, but I hadn't the slightest desire to return to the castle. So I made my way down to the lake and sat in the shadows, looking out over the lake.
It was late when I returned to the castle but instead of heading down to the dungeons, I noticed the door to the Great Hall standing ajar. I noticed a blue-ish white light shining which of course came from the Goblet of Fire. I felt drawn to it so I entered the Great Hall, which was empty. I sat down, staring into the flames of the goblet. I was sorely tempted to put my name in the goblet- I was a skilled witch, more so than any of my classmates, and I could do great things with the 1000-Galleon prize money if I were to win.
On the other hand, Snape didn't want me to compete. He would worry about me and I didn't want to make him worry…unless it made him confess his feelings for me. I knew that he cared for me and that he wanted me, but he was in denial.
I was sitting there, pondering these things, when out of the darkness, a hand closed on my shoulder from behind. I jumped up with a yelp and whirled around to face my attacker with my wand drawn.
"Impressive," said Snape in a mildly amused voice- I immediately lowered my wand-, "What are you doing, Olivia?"
"Contemplating," I replied. He tapped me on the top of my head with his wand and I felt my Disillusionment Charm being lifted. Once I was visible, I think we both realized he was standing a lot closer than was necessary, his face less than a foot from my own, though neither of us took a step backwards. To make matters worse he seemed to be starring into my soul with those deep black eyes and all my hormone-ridden mind could think of was how badly I wanted him to kiss me.
Snape's POV
I had intended to say something about not wanting her to compete in the Triwizard Tournament but words had failed me. I was gazing unblinkingly into her emerald eyes, thinking about how beautiful she looked, her pale face illuminated by the blue flames, my cloak still around her shoulders. I knew from the yearning look in her eyes that she wanted me to kiss her…but I couldn't.
I blew out a sigh and sat down on one of the benches. This seemed to snap her out of her reverie as well. She sat down beside me, not too close.
"I really don't want you to compete in the tournament," I said quietly, "It's dangerous."
"But I could win," she protested, "…Don't you think I am skilled enough? I'm more advanced than any of my classmates…"
"I don't doubt your abilities, Olivia, but…if something were to happen to you…"
I didn't finish the sentence and was careful not to look at her.
"Severus…" she said softly.
"Besides," I said quickly, "What would you even do with 1,000 Galleons?"
"I'd start my own veterinary clinic in Diagon Alley," she replied eagerly.
My heart felt heavy in my chest- who was I to deny her an attempt to make her dream come true?
"…Do whatever you want, Olivia," I said finally, "…Whatever makes you happy."
"Oh Severus," she said quietly. I think she would have kissed me, had the door to the Great Hall not opened at that moment. We both looked up to see Karkaroff enter the hall with Viktor Krum, his favorite pupil, from what I could tell, and a world-famous Quidditch player.
Both looked surprised to find us there, but Karkaroff smiled at me whereas Krum just scowled.
"Severus," he said warmly, "Good to see you. Didn't expect anyone to be up this late. Viktor here wanted to put his name in before morning so I escorted him up here."
He introduced me to the surly-looking youth who stood alongside him, then Karkaroff peered curiously at Olivia, obviously awaiting an introduction.
"This is Olivia Cain. She's my Potions apprentice- she has a natural talent for it. …She, too wished to put her name in the goblet," I said quickly.
"Excellent, excellent," said Karkaroff dismissively, "Though of course, no one has any chance of beating Viktor."
"We'll just see about that," Olivia replied, smiling sweetly.
"Feisty, aren't you?" he said, looking her over, his icy blue eyes shining eagerly, in a way that I did not like.
"Well, we are off to bed," I announced, placing my hand at the small of Olivia' back and leading her out of the Great Hall, "Goodnight Igor."
"Goodnight Severus. Miss Cain," he said with a smile.
Once we were in the Entrance Hall, I quickly removed my hand. That didn't stop her from glancing at me and smirking. I scowled.
"I don't think I like Karkaroff," she said once we had entered the dungeons.
"I don't blame you. He is not to be trusted. He ratted out several others to keep himself out of Azkaban. He even tried to rat me out, but by that time I was under Dumbledore's protection," I told her, "He has nothing on his mind but his own well-being."
"I didn't much like the way he was looking me over," she said darkly.
"It was no walk in the park for me either," I muttered, though I had not intended to say this aloud.
"If you ask me, I'd say Karkaroff has a thing for Viktor Krum," Olivia remarked with a grin, "Sneaking about at night with him. Putting his name in the goblet, yeah right."
I let out a snort of laughter.
"You have a dirty mind," I said was we reached the hidden entrance to the Common Room.
"Duh," she replied, smiling.
"Off to bed with you."
I started to leave.
"Wait," she said, sounding somewhat reluctant, "Your cloak."
I hesitated a moment.
"Keep it," I said, without really thinking, "I have others."
Then I hurried away before she could make a big deal out of it.
Lying in bed a while later, I realized Olivia was not the only one who had a dirty mind. I found myself fantasizing about what could have happened had I kissed her in the Great Hall, then about what things she could be doing to my cloak…
Olivia's POV
I gave the password and made my way into the Common Room, which I expected to find empty. It was not empty, however. Daae was sitting in one of the chairs by the fire. She didn't ask me where I had been, but she did look up at me with a knowing smile.
"That's Professor Snape's cloak, isn't it?" she said to me. I glanced around the Common Room, ensuring that we were alone.
'What of it?" I challenged.
"Nothing," she replied with a shrug, "Nothing wrong with that. It's not like I'm going to tell anyone. I haven't any friends."
This I knew, of course. Daae was like me- she always sat alone at mealtimes and I never saw her speak to anyone.
With a sigh I sat down in another of the chairs.
"Nothing to tell, really," I said to her, "He won't have me."
"Why not?" she asked, surprised, "You're smart, pretty…and you're like the only person in the whole school who is good at Potions."
"He's in denial. He likes me, but refuses to act on it."
"That's a shame. Why not slip him a Love Potion? I bet you could do it."
"I could… but if he caught me, he would never speak to me again. Besides, I would much rather have him on his own terms. He has to give in eventually- the things he feels are strong."
"How do you know?" she asked curiously.
"I allow him in my mind- he already knows how I feel about him- and when he is there it is harder for him to hide his feelings."
I wasn't sure why I was telling Daae all of this, except that I felt I could trust her. Besides, with Mari gone, I was in need of a new best friend. Daae and I stayed up for an hour or so, talking, before I retreated to my dorm for the night.
Once I was safely in the dorm, I pulled the curtains around my bed. I pulled the curtains around my bed. I stripped down to just my underwear and crawled in between my green satin sheets. I brought Snape's cloak with me, snuggling up with it and inhaling his scent. I fell asleep imagining he was there with his arms wrapped around me, which of course led to some pretty fantastic dreams.
I woke up the next morning, earlier than I usually would have on a Saturday. I was entwined with Snape's cloak. I yawned and stretched, deeply inhaling his scent. Then I climbed out of bed and dressed in jeans and a black sweater. I folded Snape's cloak and stowed it beneath my pillow before pulling the hangings back from around my bed.
The dormitory was empty, except for a few older girls who were still asleep. I supposed everyone else had gone down to the Great Hall already. The Common Room was practically empty as well. I made my way up to the Great Hall where everyone was. I saw Daae sitting at the Slytherin Table alone, eating breakfast. I went and sat across from her.
"Good morning. Seen anyone put their names in the goblet yet?" I asked her.
"The Durmstrang lot put their names in earlier. Cedric Diggory, from Hufflepuff, put his name in."
"Anyone from Slytherin?"
"Warrington, from the Quidditch team, was in here earlier."
"Oh I remember him, he's an ass. He didn't want me on the team when I was a second-year because I was a girl. He used to try and knock me off my broom during practice."
"You were the best Beater ever. Why did you quit?"
"I missed tryouts one year and they replaced me. They've not had an opening since."
"They've not won since then either," she muttered.
"Hey Olivia!" a voice called. Myself and several other people turned to see Brandi entering the Great Hall, along with several other girls from Beauxbatons who looked at her disdainfully as she skipped over to the Slytherin table and sat down beside me.
"Have you put your name in the Goblet yet?" I asked her as she grabbed a plate and began to load it with food.
"Nah- I've got it here. I'll do it after I eat," she replied, then nodded to Daae, "Hi."
"Hi," Alexandria replied.
"Brandi, this is Alexandria Daae. Alexandria, this is Brandi Baker."
"Daae? Cool. Like the girl from Phantom of the Opera?"
Alexandria raised an eyebrow at me and I smiled. I had read the book, too.
"It's a Muggle book- and a movie- and a play," Brandi explained to her.
"You spend a lot of time with Muggles?" Alexandria asked her curiously, "Are you half-blood?"
"No, no. My parents are magic, but I live in Paris. We have a television and I spent a lot of time amongst Muggles."
"Oh, that's cool," Alex said.
"So, have you decided if you're going to put your name in the Goblet, Olivia?" Brandi asked.
"No, I'm not."
"Did Snape tell you not to?"
"No- actually he told me to do whatever makes me happy," I replied, "I'm not going to do it because I don't want to make him worry."
"Aw, that's sweet," Brandi gushed.
"Are you going to put your name in the goblet, Alexandria?" I asked her, quickly changing the subject.
"No way. I don't want to be a champion."
Just then there was a loud popping noise. We all looked over at the Goblet of Fire to see Fred and George Weasley flying backwards. When they sat up, they were both sprouting long white beards.
"I did warn you," said a deeply amused voice.
Dumbledore made his way through the crowd of people and told the twins to go to the hospital wing. Brandi was roaring with laughter.
"Man, I wish we had a headmaster like Dumbledore," she said, "Madam Maxime probably would have expelled anyone who tried to cross the Age Line."
"Yeah Dumbledore is great," I agreed, "He's a bit of a lunatic, but in a brilliant way. He gave me House points for speaking out against him once. Said it showed courage."
"I keep hearing about the different houses. Can you explain them to me?" Brandi asked, "At Beauxbatons we are all the same."
Alexandria and I spent the rest of the morning explaining the houses to Brandi. After lunch we gave her a tour of the castle, including the Astronomy tower, the kitchens, the Slytherin Common Room, and the Potions classroom.
Snape was sitting at his desk in the Potions classroom when I entered. He looked up from his work and raised an eyebrow at me.
"What are you doing, Olivia?" he asked.
"Alexandria and I are giving Brandi a tour of the castle," I replied.
"Bonjour," Brandi said to him. He studiously ignored her, his eyes only on me.
"Tour elsewhere," he said softly in a would-be dangerous voice, "I'm working."
"Fine," I said coolly, "We'll go check out the lake and maybe the Forbidden Forest."
He said nothing but went back to work, trying to look unconcerned.
I didn't really lead us out to the Forbidden Forest. We walked around the grounds. We saw Hagrid out by his cabin with his Blast-Ended Skrewts which I had seen a few weeks ago when Hagrid was trying to get them to eat lettuce. He asked me to help and I had acquiesced, being curious about the creatures I had never seen before. The Skrewts apparently didn't eat lettuce and I ended up with several bad burns and had to go to the hospital.
Brandi, intrigued, walked up to Hagrid and greeted him before I could warn her.
"What are they?" she asked curiously, "I have never seen creatures such as this."
"They're called Blast-Ended Skrewts," Hagrid told her, "I have them for my fourth year students to take care of. I've never had 'em before, so we've been figuring out what they eat and what they do."
"We never studied them in our Magical Creatures class at Beauxbatons. We've studied unicorns, faeries, pixies, Thestrals, and the like. We even studied centaurs last year. We had a nice centaur come and speak with our class."
Brandi knelt beside the Blast-Ended Skrewts to get a closer look. She touched it curiously and it's end exploded, as they were prone to do.
"Ouch!" she exclaimed, jumping up.
"Ah, yeah, some of them do that. They've got stingers, too," Hagrid said.
Brandi hastily backed away from them.
"Don't forget about the suckers," I added, "To suck blood."
"Hm. No wonder we never studied them at Beauxbatons," she said and walked away. Alexandria and I followed her, leaving Hagrid looking slightly crestfallen.
After we left Hagrid we showed Brandi the greenhouses, where Professor Sprout gave her the grand tour. She even let us water the Venomous Tentacula.
"I'm glad you three are getting along so well," Sprout said when we were about to leave, "That's what this whole tournament is about, you know. Learning about other cultures and making friends."
We returned to the Great Hall for dinner. The whole school was in an air of excitement. We hurried through the extravagantly prepared Halloween feast- the second feast in two days- and were forced to wait until everyone else had finished as well.
"Are those real bats?" Brandi asked, craning her neck towards the ceiling.
"Yep," I replied, my eyes on the flickering blue flames within the goblet of fire.
"What happens to them after the feast?" she asked curiously.
"They are released."
"How do you know?" Alexandria asked me.
"I asked Severus once in my second year. …What's taking so long?"
No sooner had the words come out of my mouth, the food vanished off the golden plates. We all exchanged excited looks, then focused our attention on the staff table where Dumbledore had just gotten to his feet.
"Well, the goblet is almost ready to make its decision," said Dumbledore, "I estimate that it requires one more minute. Now, when the champions names are called, I would ask them please to come up to the top of the hall, walk along the staff table, and go through into the next chamber where they will be receiving their first instructions."
Dumbledore took out his wand and gave it a wave. We were plunged into semi-darkness as all the candles save the ones in the Jack O'Lanterns were extinguished. The goblet shone more brightly than anything in the hall.
By the light of its blue-white flames, I could see Snape's face, anxiously watching the goblet of fire. He was probably the most anxious-looking person in the hall.
The flames in the goblet suddenly turned bright red. A tongue of flame shot into the air and a charred piece of parchment fluttered into Dumbledore's outstretched hand.
"The champion for Durmstrang will be Viktor Krum," Dumbledore said clearly.
A storm of applause swept through the hall as Krum slouched up to the front of the hall.
"Bravo, Viktor!" boomed Karkaroff, beaming at his student, "Knew you had it in you."
Soon the cheering died down and everyone focused on the goblet once again. The flames turned red once more and a second piece of parchment shot out.
"The champion for Beauxbatons," Dumbledore began, and Brandi held her breath, "…Is Fleur Delacour."
"Damn," Brandi said, though she clapped along with the rest of us, "Oh well."
The other Beauxbaton girls didn't seem to be taking their loss quite so well. Several of them had burst into tears and were sobbing violently.
Fleur Delacour, an impossibly pretty girl with silvery-blonde hair, made her way to the front of the hall. When she disappeared, silence fell again. I glanced up at Snape- he was sitting on the edge of his seat, his hands clasped in front of him. He looked paler than usual, though I supposed it may have just been from the blue-white light of the goblet.
Snape's POV
I had abandoned my attempt to hide my anxiety. I assumed no one could see me in the dark anyway. The Hogwarts champion was the only one left to be announced. I had no way of knowing if Olivia had put her name in the goblet or not. I glanced down at the Slytherin table to see that her eyes were watching, not the goblet, but me. Our eyes met and she smiled. I formed the connection between our minds tentatively.
I didn't put my name in the goblet if that's what you're worried about," she informed me.
Oh. Uh…I wasn't worried, I lied.
Right.
She smiled a little wider and I severed the connection. The flames in the goblet turned red and I sat back in my seat, relieved that there was no chance of her being chosen.
"The Hogwarts champion," Albus said clearly, "Is Cedric Diggory."
There was a tremendous uproar of applause and cheering from the Hufflepuff table and Diggory stood, grinning proudly, and made his way out of the hall.
Most of the Slytherin table looked displeased, no doubt not wanting to be represented by a Hufflepuff, as members of this house were known to be dim-witted and Muggle-born. I was pleased to see Olivia clapping indiscriminately with the rest of the school.
When the cheering finally died down, Albus spoke again.
"Excellent," he said happily, "Well, we now have our three champions. I am sure I can count upon all of you, including the remaining students from Beauxbatons and Durmstrang, to give your champions every ounce of support you can muster. By cheering your champion on, you will contribute in a very real-"
He stopped abruptly as the flames within the goblet turned red once more.
A fourth piece of parchment shot out and he grabbed it. He stared wordlessly at the parchment for a long time. Everyone in the hall seemed to be holding their breaths. Finally Albus cleared his throat and said-
"Harry Potter."
Angry murmurings quickly filled the hall. My eyes found the boy, who was sitting motionless, shocked, amongst his fellow students, many of whom stared at him with disdain. Minerva quickly got up and began to whisper frantically in Albus' ear. I felt numb with shock and disbelief. I thought I would have nothing to worry about during the Triwizard Tournament!
I took a few deep breaths and calmed myself. Surely Albus wouldn't allow the boy to compete? I glanced down at the headmaster, who was now straightening up.
"Harry Potter," he called and my heart dropped like a stone, "Harry! Up here, if you please."
The boy got to his feet, stumbled, and proceeded to make his way to the top of the hall.
"Well…through the door, Harry," Albus said to him, not smiling. Potter obeyed mindlessly.
Ludo Bagman stood somewhat excitedly and hastened through the door as well. Albus quieted the students, then dismissed them, and he, Madam Maxime, Karkaroff, Crouch, Minerva, Moody and myself continued into the next chamber.
The three champions and Potter were standing in the middle of the room along with Ludo Bagman. I made my way into the most shadowed part of the room as we all entered. I was determined to remain silent and listen to whatever Albus had to say. All of the students looked bewildered. Fleur Delacour was outraged.
"Madame Maxime," said Fleur at once striding over to her headmistress, "Zey are saying zat zis little boy is to compete also!"
"What is ze meaning of zis, Dumbly-dorr?" Madame Maxime asked imperiously.
"I'd rather like to know that myself, Dumbledore," said Professor Karkaroff with a steely smile, "Two Hogwarts champions? I don't remember anyone telling me the host school is allowed two champions- or have I not read the rules carefully enough?"
He gave a short, nasty laugh.
"C'est impossible," said Madame Maxime, " 'Ogwarts cannot 'ave two champions. It is most injust."
"We were under the impression that your Age Line would keep out younger contestants, Dumbledore," said Karkaroff, "Otherwise, we would, of course, have brought along a wider selection of candidates from our own schools."
"It's no one's fault but Potter's, Karkaroff," I said, unable to help myself, "Don't go blaming Dumbledore for Potter's determination to break rules. He h as been crossing lines ever since he arrived here-"
"Thank you, Severus," Albus said firmly. I immediately fell silent but glared at Potter. No doubt he had put his name in, wanting even more fame and attention than he already had. He was a rule-breaker, just like his wretched father.
Albus turned to Harry.
"Did you put your name into the Goblet of Fire, Harry?" he asked calmly.
"No," said Potter quickly. I made a scathing noise of disbelief.
"Did you ask an older student to put it into the Goblet of Fire for you?" said Dumbledore, ignoring me.
"No," said Potter vigorously.
"Ah, but of course 'e is lying!" cried Madame Maxime.
"He could not have crossed the Age Line," said Minerva sharply, "I am sure we all agreed on that-"
"Dumbly-dorr must 'ave made a mistake wiz ze line," said Madame Maxime with a shrug.
"It is possible, of course," said Albus politely.
"Dumbledore, you know perfectly well you did not make a mistake!" said Minerva angrily, "Really, what nonsense! Harry could not have crossed the line himself, and as Professor Dumbledore believes that he did not persuade an older student to do it for him, I'm sure that should be good enough for everybody else!"
She shot a very angry look at me and I sneered at her, but stayed silent.
"We must follow the rules of, and the rules state clearly that those people whose names come out of the Goblet of Fire are bound to compete in the tournament," said Crouch from the other side of the room.
"Well, Barty knows the rule book back to front," said Bagman, beaming as though the matter were now closed.
"I insist upon resubmitting the names of the rest of my students. You will set up the Goblet of Fire once more, and we will continue adding names until each school has two champions. It's only fair Dumbledore," said Karkaroff.
"But Karkaroff, it doesn't work like that," said Bagman, "The Goblet of Fire's just gone out- it won't re-ignite until the start of the next tournament-"
"-in which Durmstrang will most certainly not be competing!" exploded Karkaroff, "After all our meetings and negotiations and compromises, I little expected something of this nature to occur! I have half a mind to leave now!"
"Empty threat, Karkaroff. You can't leave your Champion now. He's got to compete. They've all got to compete. Binding Magical contract, like Dumbledore said. Convenient, eh?" Growled Moody's voice from where he stood in the doorway.
He limped, clunking, towards the fireplace.
"Convenient?" said Karkaroff coolly, "I'm afraid I don't understand you, Moody."
His hands were balled into fists.
"Don't you? It's very simple, Karkaroff," Moody said softly, "someone put Potter's name in that goblet knowing he would have to compete if it came out."
"Evidently, someone 'oo wished to give 'Ogwarts two bites at ze apple!" said Madame Maxime.
"I quite agree, Madame Maxime," said Karkaroff, bowing to her, "I shall be lodging complaints with the Ministry of Magic and the International Confederation of Wizards-"
"If anyone's got reason to complain, it's Potter," growled Moody, "But…funny thing… I don't hear him saying a word."
"Why should 'e complain?" burst out the Delacour girl, stamping her foot, "'E 'as ze chance to compete, 'asn't 'e? We 'ave all been 'oping to be chosen for weeks and weeks! Ze honor for out schools! A thousand Galleons in prize money - zis is a chance many would die for!"
I couldn't help but agree with her.
"Maybe someone is hoping Potter is going to die for it," said Moody with a slight growl.
The thought was unnerving. A strained silence met his words. I glanced at Albus and his gaze met mine silently. His eyes seemed troubled.
"Moody, old man…what a thing to say!" said Bagman nervously.
"We all know Professor Moody considers the morning wasted if he hasn't discovered six plots to murder him before lunchtime," said Karkaroff loudly, "Apparently he is now teaching his students to fear assassination, too. An odd quality in a Defense Against the Dark Arts teacher, Dumbledore, but no doubt you had your reasons."
"Imagining things, am I?" Moody growled, "Seeing things, eh? It was a skilled witch or wizard who put the boy's name in that goblet…"
"Ah, what evidence is zere of zat?" Madame Maxime asked, throwing up her hands.
"Because they hoodwinked a very powerful magical object!" said Moody, "It would have needed an exceptionally strong Confundus Charm to bamboozle that goblet into forgetting that only three schools compete in the tournament…I'm guessing they submitted Potter's name under a fourth school, to make sure he was the only one in his category…"
"You seem to have given this a great deal of thought, Moody," said Karkaroff coldly, "and a very ingenious theory it is- though of course, I heard you recently got it into your head that one of your birthday presents contained a cunningly disguised basilisk egg, and smashed it to pieces before realizing it was a carriage clock. So you'll understand if we don't take you entirely seriously…"
"There are those who'll turn innocent occasions to their advantage," Moody retorted in a menacing voice, "It's my job to think the way Dark wizards do, Karkaroff- as you ought to remember…"
"Alastor!" Dumbledore said warningly. Karkaroff's face was burning and Moody looked satisfied.
"How this situation arose we do not know," said Dumbledore to everyone, "It seems to me, however, that we have no choice but to accept it. Both Cedric and Harry have been chosen to compete in the tournament. This, therefore, they will do…"
"Ah, but Dumbly-dorr-"
"My dear Madame Maxime if you have an alternative I would be delighted to hear it."
I was somewhat furious. I thought for sure Albus would not allow him to compete! We both did everything we could to protect the boy! Now Albus was blatantly allowing him to compete in a tournament dozens had died in!
"Well, shall we crack on, then?" Bagman said excitedly, "Got to give our champions their instructions, haven't we? Barty, want to do the honors?"
"Yes," said Crouch, "instructions. Yes…the first task…"
After Potter and Diggory left, I exited into the Great Hall as well.
"I would ask you and Minerva to meet me in my office later, Severus," Albus said before I left.
"Of course, headmaster," I replied.
My mind was on Potter and the tournament and particularly Moody's chilling opinion as I crossed the Great Hall, planning to go straight to Albus' office. I nearly jumped out of my skin when a voice said-
"Oi, Severus!"
I whirled around to see Olivia, who was sitting atop one of the tables, removing her Disillusionment Charm.
"You shouldn't be in here! What if Moody had come out before me? Or Albus?"
"Dumbledore likes me. Now, if you're done fussing at me like a nanny?"
I was unable to keep myself from blushing. I scowled at her and led her out of the Great Hall.
"What happened?" she asked curiously, "Is Potter going to compete?"
"He hasn't got a choice. There's a binding magical contract or some such nonsense," I muttered darkly.
I accompanied her slowly down to the hidden entrance of the Slytherin Common Room and, after some badgering form her, I recounted the evens that had occurred within the chamber off the hall.
"…Do you think Moody is right then?" she asked me.
We had reached the hidden entrance and she leaned against the wall.
"I don't know," I muttered, "I know Potter wasn't lying - his mind told me so- but who could have entered him?"
"Well it's not like this is the first time someone has tried to kill Potter. …What about Karkaroff? He could have done it last night."
"If he did, then he is a very good actor. He seemed furious."
"Acting is easy," she remarked.
I was silent a moment.
"I'm supposed to meet with Albus. You should go to bed."
"Fine. Goodnight Severus."
I inclined my head to her, turned, and left the dungeons.
Minerva was already there when I reached Albus' office. He was standing over his basin of Pensieve. a frown etched in every line of his face. At his request, I shut the door behind myself and the three of us were alone.
"Well," he said without looking at us, 'What do you think?"
"I believe you already know my opinion," I said stiffly, "…The boy should not be allowed to compete. He is too young."
"For once, I agree with Severus. …I don't see that we have a choice, however," Minerva said curtly.
"There are always choices," Albus said, still not looking at us, "However, I think it best he faces things head on, rather than run for it, as would be the cowardly thing to do. Perhaps it is best to let things unfold as they will…"
"But the first task!" I protested, "Dragons, Albus? How can a fourteen-year-old boy battle a dragon?"
"Harry is a brilliant boy. I'm sure he will figure something out," he replied. I made a scoffing noise. I wanted to tell him how I felt- that he had signed the boy's death sentence- but I remained silent.
"Have either of you given a thought as to who could have put Harry's name into the goblet?"
Minerva shrugged.
"…What about Karkaroff?" I said without thinking.
"His name is one that has crossed my mind," Albus agreed, "But he is not the only one. If it was he, he did a good job acting outraged. …No, I do not think he would risk it with Alastor so close by."
"Then who?" I asked.
"I'm afraid," he said, "That I have not the faintest idea."
Olivia's POV
The next morning at breakfast, everyone kept looking at the door to the Great Hall every time it opened, hoping for a glimpse of Potter. The Slytherin table was without a doubt one of the most loud and verbally abusive of the fourth champion. Personally, I felt somewhat bad for Potter. He hadn't put his name in the goblet and, from what I gathered from Snape, Dumbledore was concerned someone was trying to kill him.
I sat at the end of the table with Alexandria who seemed unconcerned by he selection of the fourth champion. When the Beauxbaton girls came into the hall for breakfast, Brandi bounded over to us, her blue eyes shining in excitement.
"I have decided something," she said loudly, sitting down across from me, grinning.
"Congratulations," I replied sarcastically, but not unkindly.
"What's up?" Alexandria asked her.
"I am going to transfer to Hogwarts!" she exclaimed, "…If Professor Dumbledore will let me, that is."
"That's awesome," I said, also grinning, "I'm sure he will let you. What about Madame Maxime?"
"Psh. She cannot stop me. My parents already gve me permission- I only have one year left anyway and I've always wanted to study abroad."
"That's awesome. …You should go talk to the headmaster after breakfast."
"How?"
"We'll go see Severus," I said certainly, "He'll help us."
"Are you sure?" she asked anxiously, "He seemed kinda unpleasant the other day. I do not think he likes me."
"He pretends not to like anybody, but really he's not all that bad," I insisted.
"If you say so," she said doubtfully.
After a hurried breakfast, my friends followed me down into the dungeons to Snape's office. I knocked on the door.
"What do you want, Olivia?" he said in a tired voice. I opened the door and approached his desk fearlessly. Alex and Brandi hung back in the doorway, seeming reluctant to cross the threshold. Snape glanced past me at them, then raised an eyebrow at me.
"Brandi needs to talk to Dumbledore," I said to him.
"So?" he responded.
I glanced over my shoulder at my friends- they looked put off. I looked back at Snape, glared, and crossed my arms. A second later he entered my mind.
You owe me, I said to him, I passed on the opportunity to enter the Triwizard Tournament so that you wouldn't worry about me.
He withdrew from my mind.
"Fine," he said, surly. He stood up and motioned for us to follow him. My friends and I exchanged grins that went unnoticed by him as he led us out of the dungeons.
"Why does she need to speak with the headmaster?" he asked me as we ascended the Grand Staircase.
"She wants to transfer to Hogwarts," I replied simply, "Do you think he will let her?"
Snape glanced over his shoulder at her, then looked back at me.
"It has been done before," he said, "Your friend Mari's sister transferred to Beauxbatons from Hogwarts."
When we reached the headmaster's office, Snape gave the password to the stone griffin and we followed him up the stairs. H knocked on the door.
"Come in, Severus," said Dumbledore's voice pleasantly. Snape opened the door and entered the room. Dumbledore, who was sitting at his desk, smiling, a smiled a little wider when he saw Snape was being tailed by three teenage girls. Snape scowled at us and at him.
"One of them wants to talk to you," he muttered.
We stepped forward. I nodded to Brandi who shook her head frantically. I looked up at Dumbledore and smiled.
"Brnadi wants to know if it's possible for her to transfer to Hogwarts," I said to him.
"Is this true, Miss Butler?" he asked her.
She looked embarrassed that he knew her name.
"Yes sir," she said quietly, not at all her usual hyper self.
"Have you discussed your decision with Madame Maxime?"
"No sir…but my parents gave me permission. I have only one year of school left and I am curious to see what Hogwarts has to teach me."
"Indeed. I shall have to discuss it with Madame Maxime of course, but I am sure she can be persuaded. I will speak with Mr. Crouch and have him draw up the transfer papers and whatnot. He is the Head of International Magical Cooperation. Then we can see about getting you Sorted. I trust you do not want to be Sorted in front of the whole school?"
"No sir," she said, blushing, "…but I would like for my friends to be there…and Professor Snape."
Snape looked startled but said nothing.
"Very well," Dumbledore said, "I am sure that we can arrange a small ceremony for you."
He dismissed us after that but asked that Snape remain a moment longer. I followed my friends out of the headmaster's office but paused when we reached the hallway.
"I'm going to wait for Severus, okay? I'll see you guys at lunch," I said to them.
"Okay," Alexandria said.
"Later Liv," Brandi replied brightly.
I watched my friends disappear around the corner, then sat down with my back against the wall to wait for Snape.
It was about ten minutes before he came out of the headmaster's office. He didn't look surprised to find me waiting for him. I grabbed hold of his cloak like a barnacle attaches itself to a whale and followed him down the stairs.
"So?" I said, tugging on his cloak, "What'd Dumbledore say?"
"He told me to go find Madame Maxime and request that she comes to his office," he replied.
"Cool. Can I come?"
"Aren't you just going to follow me anyway, even if I say no?"
"Probably," I replied lightly.
He paused long enough to slap my hand away, then continued down the stairs.
"Why does your friend want me at her Sorting?" he asked as we left the castle.
"She likes you," I said with a shrug.
"Great," he muttered, "As if one teenage girl fawning over me isn't bad enough? Now there's a whole flock."
"She doesn't like you, like you," I said, rolling my eyes," And I don't fawn over you… You did mean me, right?"
"Do you see any other sixteen-year-old girl who doesn't have the common sense enough to know to stay away from me?"
"No," I said lightly, "…and I'm almost seventeen."
"I am well aware," he said indifferently, "Not that it makes a difference."
"Hmph."
We made our way out to where the Beauxbatons carriage was parked and Snape knocked on the door. The door was opened by a short girl with long black hair and brown eyes.
"We are looking for Madame Maxime," I said to her.
"Elle est avec Monsieur Hagrid," she replied.
"Merci," I said.
The girl shut the door and we made for Hagrid's cottage.
"Well," said Snape, "Who would have thought? Hagrid and Madame Maxime."
"Let's hope they never reproduce. Any baby of theirs would weigh as much as a baby elephant."
An amused smile twitched at the corners of his mouth as he knocked on the door.
Hagrid opened the door. Madame Maxime could be seen sitting behind him at a table, a large mug of what was presumably tea in her giant hands. The part of Hagrid's face which was not obscured by his bushy beard blushed bright red.
"The headmaster wishes to speak with Madame Maxime in his office," Snape said with a faint sneer.
"Ah, Dumbly-dorr. Marci Monsieur," said Madame Maxime, "And thank you for tea, Monsieur Hagrid."
Snape smirked as he stepped aside and Madame Maxime hurried out, blushing. Hagrid quickly shut the door.
"You're so mean," I said, smiling at Snape.
"I try," he replied, "…Do you want to go into the forest to harvest ingredients?"
"When do I not?" I replied, still grinning.
It was almost a week before Brandi told us Dumbledore had arranged her transfer.
"Madame Maxime was not happy at first," Brandi told Alexandria and I one morning at breakfast, "But there wasn't much she could so about it. I had a meeting with Mr. Crouch and Dumbledore yesterday evening to sign transfer papers. Professor Dumbledore said I can get Sorted tonight at eight o'clock. You'll both come, won't you?"
"Of course," I declared and Alexandria nodded her agreement.
"And you'll tell Professor Snape, won't you?" she asked me.
"Definitely."
I went down to Snape's classroom after my last class of the day. He was cleaning up from his last class and grading the potions they had let behind. I proceeded to help him clean up.
"Brandi is going to get Sorted tonight," I said casually.
"I'm aware. Dumbledore told me."
"Are you actually going to come?"
"Unfortunately, I have to. Dumbledore wants all the Heads of Houses there."
"Good. I thought perhaps you wouldn't go."
"…I might've gone anyway," he said after a moment. I smiled at him and he ducked into the supply cupboard to put up some usable ingredients that students had left behind.
I stayed with Snape until eight o'clock, then we left the dungeons together and headed upstairs to Dumbledore's office.
The headmaster smiled at us when we entered together. Snape and I exchanged glances. He scowled and I rolled my eyes then smiled back at Dumbledore. The Sorting Hat was sitting on a stool in the center of the room. It looked even older and more tattered than I remembered it.
Dumbledore was sitting at his desk. He wore robes of deep blue and looked very formal. Snape sat down in one of the chairs in front of the headmaster's desk. I remained standing, looking curiously at the Sorting Hat.
"You may place it on your head, if you like," Dumbledore said good-naturedly. Snape turned to watch me, looking somewhat curious as I lifted the Hat tentatively and placed it on my head.
Hello Miss Snape, said the Hat's voice in my ear. My heart jumped in my chest.
What did you call me? I asked, startled.
Olivia Snape, replied the Hat.
Why?
He adopted you. He is your legal guardian. If you wanted to, you could take his surname.
Well I don't want to, I snapped.
Right said the Hat, sounding sarcastic, Don't forget, I can read what's in your mind…and so can he…
Point taken, I thought, Goodbye Hat…
I started to remove it from my head.
Wait- a word of advice for you, Miss Olivia, said the Hat.
What? I snapped.
The thing he hates the most is seeing you hurt OR seeing you sad. Use that to your advantage.
That's rather sneaky, isn't it? I asked with a grin.
I placed you in Slytherin for a reason.
I removed the Hat from my head, still grinning. Snape was still looking at me curiously. Our eyes met and he attempted to enter my mind. I blocked him lightly and he nodded at me, respecting the fact that I didn't want to share.
There was a knock at Dumbledore's door and I quickly placed the Hat on the stool and went to stand by the window. McGonagall, Sprout, and Flitwick came in when the headmaster bade them enter. He greeted all three of them, who greeted him in return. McGonagall nodded to Snape. Her eyes flicked to me but she said nothing.
"Has Miss Baker not arrived yet?" Flitwick asked, "It's getting close to eight o' clock."
"Where is Miss Baker, Olivia?" McGonagall asked me.
"I don't know. I didn't come up with her," I said, somewhat startled, "I think Alexandria Daae was coming with her."
"Is it possible they may be waiting for you, Olivia?" Dumbledore asked me, smiling kindly.
"Possibly…I'll go see if I can find them?"
He nodded. I started for the door.
"I'll go with her, headmaster. In case they have been detained by a teacher," Snape said, standing. I glanced back at him and Dumbledore nodded to him. I left the room and Snape followed.
"So what did the Sorting Hat say to you?" he asked as we headed downstairs.
"Nothing important."
He glanced at me curiously but didn't push the matter.
We met Alexandria and Brandi coming up the stairs.
"There you are," Brandi said, "We tried to wait on you."
"Oh. My bad. I went up with Severus," I said.
Snape made a scoffing noise.
"What?" I asked. He just shook his head.
"They are waiting on you," Snape said to her.
Brandi and Alexandria hurried up the stairs. Snape and I followed but hung back a bit to talk.
"What?" I asked him again.
"…I don't mind if you call me by my first name, but don't do it in front of other students," he said quietly, "Or other teachers."
I considered this a moment.
"Yes Professor," I said with a smirk. He caught my eye and I couldn't suppress a giggle.
"Come on Olivia," said Brandi from where she and Alex had already reached the entrance to Dumbledore's office.
Snape and I caught up with them, then he gave the password and we all went inside.
We all stood around the stool where Brandi sat nervously as McGonagall placed the Sorting Hat on her head. The headmaster had said some things, but I was scarcely paying attention. I was studying Snape, who was studiously ignoring me, looking bored and disinterested, as if he could care less whose House she ended up in. McGonagall, Flitwick and Sprout were all watching anxiously, eagerly awaiting the Hat's decision.
After about five minutes, the Hat opened its mouth wide and announced "SLYTHERIN!"
Everyone clapped though the other Heads of Houses did so somewhat begrudgingly.
"Saw that coming," McGonagall muttered to Flitwick, who nodded his agreement.
"Congratulations, Miss Butler," Dumbledore said good-naturedly, "You are now an official member of Slytherin House. Professor Snape will meet with you and arrange your schedule, and discuss possibilities for you to get your school things."
"Yes headmaster," Snape said, sounding less than enthused.
Snape, Brandi, Alexandria and I left the headmaster's office a short while later.
"I suppose you should accompany me to my office, Miss Butler, so we can discuss what classes you are to take," Snape said as we walked down the stairs.
"Can I come?" I asked eagerly.
He nodded wordlessly.
"Can Alexandria come, too?" Brandi asked.
"Sure, why not?" Snape muttered, "Invite the whole damn school."
I grinned at my friends and they smiled back.
When we reached Snape's office he pulled out his wand to draw up chairs for all of us. While he did this, I went and sat in his chair and put my feet up on his desk. My friends giggled and Snape turned to look at me. I smiled innocently and got up. He glared and pretended to be angry with me, but I could tell he wasn't really.
I sat in the middle chair of the three he had summoned for us. I hung my feet over the arm of the chair and leaned my back against the other arm of the chair.
Snape talked with Brandi for a while about her classes and her career goal which, I found out, was to become an artist. I was half-asleep when they finally decided they were done.
"Awesome," I said and took Brandi's schedule from Snape as he tried to hand it to her. I scanned it quickly.
"Hey - we have Potions together. And Transfiguration and Care of Magical Creatures- I don't have any friends in that class," I said, glancing pointedly at Alex.
"That's because no one in their right mind would want to take NEWT-level classes with Hagrid. I'm surprised he hasn't brought a dragon to class yet," Alex said, rolling her eyes.
"That would be freakin sweet!" I exclaimed, handing Brandi her schedule, "Too bad Dumbledore would never let him get away with it."
"How am I to get my school supplies?" Brandi asked, looking at Snape.
"For now you can use second-hand materials. Saturday I can accompany you to get you things," he said stiffly.
"You have got to let me come, too," I said enthusiastically.
"I have not got to let you do anything," he said coolly.
"Uh…What I mean was- may I please come, too, Professor?" I said in my sweet little girl voice.
Brandi snickered and Alexandria grinned. Snape sighed.
"Whatever. Daae, you may as well come, too. I don't care."
"Yay!" I said and we all grinned.
"Now off to bed with you all. Miss Butler, you'll be staying in the Slytherin dormitories from now on. I will write you all a pass."
We all three stood to go. Snape wrote a pass for Alex and one for Brandi. He waited until they had left and shut the door behind themselves before he crossed his arms and glared at me. I sat back down and assumed an innocent expression.
"I do not appreciate being de-authoritized in front of your little friends," he said.
"Is that even a word?"
"Yes," he snapped.
I was still pretty sure it wasn't a word but didn't push it.
"Well I'm not undermining your authority, Severus. I'm just playing. Besides- they are my friends. We talk about you all the time. They already know all about you."
"Wh- like what?" he asked, frowning.
"Like how you secretly aren't really bitchy and spiteful. And how you do nice things, like make me breakfast and save Potter and his nerdy friends from werewolves."
"Olivia-" he said warningly.
"Just kidding. I know I'm not allowed to talk about how you love Potter."
"I don't love Potter."
"Then why do you save his life? Like last year…and when I was a second year, you saved him from Quirrel."
"Only because Dumbledore expects me to. That doesn't mean I like Potter…or you, for that matter."
"Liar," I said with a grin. He scribbled out a pass and thrust it at me.
"Maybe…but only about the last part."
I smiled.
"Goodnight, Professor."
"Goodnight Olivia."