Chapter Twelve
On Wednesday she's finally allowed to pass some time with the teens inhabiting the house. She doesn't see them all, however, as no one will talk to her. Hermione is the exception.
"So everyone hates me now, but you don't?" Sasha asks, wondering why Hermione apparently hasn't shunned her.
"They don't hate you—" Sasha give her an unbelieving look. "Okay, perhaps a little," the girl admits, "Though you do understand, don't you? We're all fighting against Voldemort and the Death Eaters and the Dark side, and now we find out you like Dark Magic."
"Yes, that I understand, but why can't they see I wouldn't hurt or betray any of you? I'm still on your side."
"Because they think that if one likes the Dark Arts, that person is automatically a bad person."
"But you don't think that?"
"I don't," Hermione affirms.
She seems reluctant to explain further, so Sasha prompts her, "Why?"
"Well, I—umm… I sort of like to read, you see and—"
"I know that, Hermione, what is it you are trying to say? You know I won't judge you."
"I kind of went into the restricted section of the library at Hogwarts at few times," she admits in a small voice, "And I found a few Dark books… I mean, it's not like I actually practised those spells!" She quickly adds. "Not—Not like that's a bad thing," she glances at her, probably thinking about the fact Sasha does in fact practise them, "I just mean—"
Sasha smiles at the flustered girl before her, "I understand, Hermione, there's no need to be ashamed of your curiosity."
"Yes, well, as I told you, the boys would immediately think I like the Dark Arts if I told them."
"They would," she agrees.
"But, anyway, I know you aren't bad just because you are interested or, in your case, practise a few Dark spells. As long as you don't hurt anyone, of course."
"Thank you, then, I'm glad someone understands. Out of curiosity, which books did you find?"
The two girls launch into a conversation about books, no longer thinking about the difference between Light and Dark spells, simply conversing about magic from a purely academic viewpoint.
At the end of Saturday's Order meeting, Severus pulls her aside once more, just like at the first meeting she attended, once the members who aren't staying at the old house have left. This meeting didn't teach them much more. As Minerva said once already, it is really calm, these days. The only news came from Charlie, who has received a coded – in case it would be intercepted – owl from Romania: his contact has found a few new wizards and witches who are willing to work on the Order's side of this war. Remus wasn't present, since it's a full moon tonight, and Sasha noticed Tonks looking rather worried.
He casts a silencing spell, again annoying Sirius, who's still sitting at the table, and asks her, "How is your magic?"
She answers truthfully, "I haven't got any problems. And thank you for allowing me some time with Hermione."
"It was Dumbledore's decision."
"Yes, but I know you put in a good word for me." He doesn't deny it.
"I will have to teach you occlumency," he tells her, changing the subject, "so you'll be prepared when the Dark Lord wants to check if you are being truthful."
"Indeed," she agrees, "When?"
"I don't have a lot of time, as I have to prepare my lesson plans for this semester, among other things, but I do have an hour or two next Sunday, if that is agreeable?"
"Yes, that's agreeable," she mimics his manner of speech.
"Are you mocking me, Ms Louhi?" he asks. Seeing his smirk, she knows he's isn't being serious.
"Perhaps, Mr Snape," she winks, smilingly, "bye now, I'm going to the library."
She turns away, ignores Sirius' suspicious look and goes to the room where she knows Hermione is waiting for her.
Soon, it's time to go back to Hogwarts. They leave on Sunday, in the evening, by train. Harry is sad to say goodbye again to Sirius. Molly is terribly worried about her children. Severus has left Grimmauld Place in the morning, needing to prepare his lessons, as he told Sasha.
On the train, Sasha shares a compartment with Hermione, since the others don't want to be in her presence. She glad Hermione at least believes her and still wants to spend time with her, despite getting grief for it from the others. They read and talk about books – as usual – until the train arrives in Hogsmeade.
The first week of classes intrigues Sasha, who has only ever had lessons from her mother, and only until she was eight.
The first class she participates in, is Professor Binn's class on the History of Magic, which is about the Giant Wars. Despite the boring lecture, given by the ghost's low monotone, Sasha finds the material very interesting. She doesn't know much about this world, never mind their history, so it's safe to say she learns a lot.
The next class is Severus': Potions. He simply orders the class, consisting of Slytherins and Gryffindors, to brew a Strengthening Solution and then walks around, looking into each student's cauldron. Sasha's House either gets no commentary on their work, or a slight compliment. Hermione's House is the complete opposite. Few students escape Severus' cruel remarks. He snaps at Hermione for helping Harry, Ron and Neville and Neville knocks over his boiling cauldron, frightened by Severus' appearance at his table. The parts of the floor on which the potion lands, sizzle and seem to partly melt, before Severus quickly casts Scourgify, cleaning away the fluorescent green, presumably dangerous liquid. Unsurprisingly he also deducts twenty-five points from the shuddering boy's House.
As Severus passes by her table, returning to the front of the room, he catches her eye, raising his eyebrows as if to tell her, 'see what I have to put up with each class?' She smirks in return.
After Potions, Sasha joins Hermione in Ancient Runes, while Harry and Ron go to Divination, a class which, according to Hermione, is utterly useless. This class, Ancient Runes, is something Sasha did already know about, as her mother made her study Elder Futhark – an old, Germanic runic script. She enjoys this class.
At noon, she sits separately from her housemates at the Slytherin table. She catches Draco watching her several times, a rather frightened look in his eyes. Perhaps Lucius has told his son about her initiation?
In the afternoon she has her first class with the hated Umbridge. As she had already heard from Hermione, they indeed don't actually cast anything; the entire time they simply copy passages from their handbook. This must be the most boring class she has ever attended, Sasha muses. She's happy when they are allowed to leave the room and the school day has ended.
The rest of the week she has other classes, such as Transfiguration with Minerva – in which the stern witch teaches them how to vanish rats –, Care of Magical Creatures with Hagrid – he teaches them about Crups, wizard-bred dogs with forked tails –, Charms with the little Professor Flitwick, Herbology with the plump Professor Sprout and, Astronomy with Professor Sinistra at midnight on Wednesday night.
Sasha is glad to go to her room on Saturday evening, after an intensive day of studying with Hermione, who apparently is already anxious for her O.W.L.'s. Before she can even change into her pyjamas, however, she feels her Dark Mark burning for the first time. She's alone in the bathroom, luckily, so there is no one to notice her flinch suddenly. It doesn't hurt nearly as bad as when she was given the tattoo, but still, it does burn.
She quickly dashes into her room and through the common room, getting strange looks from Pansy, Millicent, Crabbe and Goyle. Draco looks like he has an idea of where she's going.
Severus is waiting for her already outside the common room. They walk outside and toward the school's entrance, where the anti-apparition wards end.
As they walk, Severus tells her, "You should change your clothes."
She distractedly waves her right hand over her uniform, morphing it into an entirely black dress, the hem falling to her ankles, her cape is also black with a simple, silver clasp. Severus nods approvingly.
He then continues, "It is unfortunate we have not yet practised occlumency, however we cannot change that fact. Let us just hope the Dark Lord will not delve into your mind during this meeting."
She nods vaguely, thinking about something else than the workings of her mind. She doesn't know how to feel about being summoned by the Dark wizard. She is glad Severus doesn't mention the danger of exposure to more Dark Magic. But she should be worrying about it, worrying about falling further into the dark, shouldn't she? She isn't worried, however, quite on the contrary, she's rather excited. Her body language doesn't show that excitement, though; her face is unreadable.
[To be continued]