Tales from the Common Room Fire

Chapter 2: Snape's Lesson

Professor Snape's arm was a comforting weight around her shoulders. They stopped before the concealed entrance to the Slytherin common room. He squeezed to reassure her, before dropping his arm, and beckoning for her to precede him into the Snake Pit. She took a deep breath and whispered the password.

"Devil's Snare."

Tracey kept her head down as she headed for the leather couch farthest from her tormenter. No sooner had she taken her seat than he swept into the room. A hush fell over the gathered students. All their eyes were on his back as he contemplated the fire.

"Mr. Malfoy retrieve your god-brother from Ravenclaw, Ms. Lestrange your sister from Gryffindor, and Mr. Midgin your sister's partner from Hufflepuff; whichever of you finds Mr. Hale his presence is required also. Ms. Wells collect your boyfriend and his twin from detention and inform Mr. Filtch they will serve it tomorrow. Ms. Flint recall Ms. Delacour and Mr Krum from the Quidditch pitch. Ms. Greengrass bring all ambulatory Slytherins from the Hospital Wing. Both Ms. Carrows fetch any students from the library. Mr. Brunt check the Slytherin table for stragglers. Mr. Powell alert those in the boys dormitories to my presence, the same for the girls Ms. Stretton. I expect every Slytherin student to be here in ten minutes."

A chorus of "Yes sir," and "Yes Professor," followed his statement. The girl who had made Tracey's life at Hogwarts hell was pushed unceremoniously from Draco's lap as he jumped to obey his godfather's order. Not long after the entrance closed behind the exiting students it opened for Edmond Midgin's return with Millicent Bulstrode. All the wayward Snakes arrived and cast the head of house anxious glances as they took their seats. Theo checked that his uniform was returned to standard silver and green. Daphne came to sit beside her cousin Tracey. The last to arrive were Fleur and Viktor; their escort Mariah took Daphne's other side. When the room was still except the crackling flames Snape turned to face them.

"I state quite plainly at the beginning of each academic year that I do not tolerate bullying within Slytherin house. I have never been so blatantly disregarded until today." Snape's obsidian eyes pinned each student in their seat as he continued, "You are all undoubtedly aware of the incident which took place in the courtyard at morning break. As such I will not be recounting those events; I am here to speak of consequences."

Unspoken the image of Tracy Davis suddenly completely bare in the middle of the courtyard, flashed in all their minds, and the malicious laughter of Pansy Parkinson and her new cadre of followers. Mariah had removed her outer robe to cover the younger girl, but the damage had already been done.

Snape stopped directly in front of Pansy. Beside her Draco stared ahead – unwilling to associate himself with this. "Ladies and gentlemen, this is an object lesson in what will happen to the next individual or group who decides to humiliate another classmate." His voice dropped dangerously soft, but every young witch and wizard heard. "Ms. Parkinson I want you to understand the effect of societal ostracism. To that end I shall start with fifty points fromSlytherin, and a detention after dinner for each point taken. Your morning and afternoon breaks will be spent in my company." A pale hand extended from black teaching robes, "I will have your prefect badge."

A hostile energy began to build in the room as the girl kept Snape waiting. From eleven to eighteen all the snakes did the math – the lead they had won from the last Quidditch match was gone – Slytherin was behind Gryffindor again.

"Draco, tell him, he can't take it from me. It's the headmaster's decision isn't it?" She tried to grab his hands with a smile on her face. Draco brushed her hands off, rage barely hidden behind his gray eyes, and turned back to his head of house.

"Is the Headmaster's office where you wish to end things Ms. Parkinson? I had planned to keep things in house, but if you prefer..." he began to withdraw his hand his eyes on the door. The Slytherin Seeker snatched the badge from her robes and offered it to his godfather. "Thank you Mr. Malfoy." He pocketed the small shield, "I leave you, Ms Parkinson, to the mercy of your housemates."

As suddenly as he had appeared Professor Snape was gone. Every eye was trained on Pansy in the silence.

Theo bounced to his feet, and cast a quick charm to return his robes to silver and purple. "I guess we're done here, so glad I'm not you Pansy, bye-bye now!"

He, Rose, Millicent, and Derrick slipped into the shadowy corridor. Fleur and Viktor picked up their brooms and left for the boys dorms. Draco followed them without a backward glance. Other Slytherins gave Pansy glares as they passed to go about their business. After a few moments the common room cleared except for Tracey, Daphne, Mariah, and Pansy.

"Come on sweetie let's get you out of here." Mariah offered a hand each to Tracey and Daphne. The three girls left together down the stairs of the girls' dormitory.

A/N: The rest of the school thanks Snape goes easy on the Slytherins. We like to think that he's harder on them in private because he expects more from them. Also as the target of bullying he would have no tolerance for such behavior. There will be other chapters to explain some of our head cannon, and characters who appear here. If there any questions please send us a PM and we will get back to them as soon as possible.

Thank you,

Sullivan and Lane