AN/- chapter 13-for all those who subscribed to me and my story-I thank thee.
I wish you'd review too.
Chapter 13
Rachel saw Severus depart quickly away from the stands as she had a thought burst in her head, was Severus right, had she been too hard on her daughter, it was true that in the past week Rachel's anger had gotten out of control and had come out in the wrong way on Audrey. But now that she thought about it the bloody bat was right, even if Audrey was older didn't mean she wasn't a child, she was only fourteen for Merlin's sake, yet it was hard to remember that sometimes in Audrey's case because she acted way mature than she was but she only acted that way, truth was she was still a child and would always be one for Rachel and a mere fourteen year old child couldn't have managed to break the age line that Dumbledore had created and if she had, she sure hadn't been prepared for something as grave as death.
Rachel knew that instant that she had been too tough on her daughter, she knew how Audrey felt—ignored because all her attention had been focused lately on Jean who pulled her away from any task. Rachel knew he was attention seeking but she hadn't realized the lack of attention she was providing or not providing the most important person in her life.
Rachel stood up suddenly as Jean's hand on her shoulders fell to his lap, she had a determined look on her face as Jean looked puzzled and asked her,
"Where are you going—let the crowd leave we'll go after-" he spoke loudly and commandingly but she cut him throwing him a glare.
"I have to go see her," she said as he pulled her hand with his strong one.
"Lupin's tending to her—let her be," said Jean as Rachel pulled her away from his swiftly as Jean looked a little angry.
"Yes, but Lupin is not her mother," she snapped walking away before Jean could retaliate.
Rachel walked into the hospital where Remus was tending to Audrey's bleeding hand as he removed splinters from her hand with tweezers and threw them into a medicine tray on the bed, the tray had several tiny pieces of rock in it all covered in blood.
Rachel noticed Harry Potter sitting next to Audrey along with the Weasley boy and his two twin brothers who were making her forget the pain and laugh, they reminded Rachel so such of James and Sirius, Remus was still Remus and Harry was just like Lily while Audrey, she was her but then Rachel rethought as she saw Harry's hand graze through his hair, just like James used to whenever he was a meter away from Lily.
Audrey's eyes now went to where her mother was standing, she seemed pale and awkward to be standing there alone without anyone noticing her, so Audrey smiled as Remus's eyes went from her hand to Rachel and now everyone was looking at her.
Rachel walked up to the bed as Madam Pomfrey came in and glared at the group she hated big crowds around beds and so Harry and the Weasleys bid Audrey good bye and Remus got back to work on Audrey's bloody hand.
"How'd that happen?" asked Rachel coolly not knowing how to approach the situation.
"Fell over while getting the root, my hand hit the ground and-" said Audrey softly as Remus removed the last piece of rock from her hand.
"Must have hurt a lot," said Rachel pulling the bloody hand into her soft one.
"A bit," replied Audrey nonchalantly as Rachel waved her hand over the hand as the blood vanished and the bruises were now seen clearly on it.
"Fenura," said Rachel softly as strips of gauze shot out of her wand and wrapped around Audrey's hand neatly and then Rachel tied up the ends as Remus came back after washing his hands.
"I'm sorry! I should have believed you—I should have been there," said Rachel looking down at her hands which held the other small one of her daughter.
"You do now—that's what counts," said Audrey smiling as Rachel returned her smile.
"I do love you Audrey, a lot I just hope you know that," said Rachel looking at her daughter's face as Audrey launched herself into her mother's arms.
"I love you too mum," said Audrey snuggling her head into her mother hair as Rachel held her close, her arms tightening around her daughter's thin frame.
"Severus!" said Remus cheerfully as Audrey let go of her mother and sat back on the bed both their heads turned towards the doorway where Snape was now walking out of.
Something hit Audrey suddenly, the voice in her head, she could now put a face to it, no wonder she thought she had heard it, it had belonged to Snape.
"I was just hear to check on Ms. Adams," said Severus as Remus walked up to him
"It was you—how'd you get into my head!" said Audrey abruptly as Severus raised his eyebrows at her.
"You got in? How" said Rachel surprised as a little red tinge creeped into Severus's pale cheeks.
"Got in!-how'd you know about it?" asked Audrey skeptical of the whole situation.
"I asked him too," replied Rachel simply as Audrey got even more confused.
"You can get into people's minds?" asked Audrey her expression very much like Severus's.
"Yes—it's called legillimency," replied Severus plainly trying to get out of the room.
"How do learn this legillimency—never mind," began Audrey in excitement but she was cut in by Rachel's death glare, so she pouted and crossed her hands across her chest.
"So what are we discussing?" asked Albus as he and Minerva walked into the hospital wing
"Nothing—I was here to inquire about Ms. Adams's health she's obviously fine and therefore I'll be leaving," said Severus curtly as Dumbledore cleared his path as Audrey strained her neck to get a view of him leave. She definitely wanted to know more about this legillimency thing.
A week into the challenge and school continued to function like there was nothing going on but on a boring Tuesday Audrey sat down for breakfast with the rest of her Gryffindor friends and Leon who was whispering into Ginny's ears making her laugh as Lavender Brown and some other girls looked at him dreamily.
"Oh! Give it a rest Ron, they are dating or some such," hissed Hermione as she wiped her mouth with her napkin.
"Anyways—I have got to go to the library—I'll see you later," said Hermione as she whispered something into Audrey's ear making her groan and shake her head while Hermione rolled her eyes and chuckled as she left for the library.
"Odd! She never goes to the library before the morning post," muttered Ron looking at Audrey suspiciously as she shrugged and returned to her breakfast.
The doors of the great hall were pushed open suddenly as people looked at the person walking into the hall, Harry who had his mouth full of pumpkin juice spat it out in shock on seeing the man walking up to the head table as he winked at him. Harry turned to Audrey as who was equally shocked. Sirius Black had just strolled into the great hall not as Padfoot but as Sirius himself.
"What the bloody hell?" said Ron astonished as the paper owl threw the daily prophet into his plate.
Harry snatched the paper from him as he read the first page which had Sirius's picture on it, Harry read out the article loudly.
Ministry's 13 year Blooper correction.
Last night had been a long night for the ministry aurors when an intern Henry Jones brought in a mysterious person who looked exactly like Peter Pettigrew the man thought to be killed by Sirius Black, for which Black suffered life imprisonment until last year when he escaped through ways that are still unknown to the ministry as Mr. Black refused to open up.
Dumbledore was quoted saying that "the man is Pettigrew... Black is innocent." After vigorous question of the man under veritaserum, the ministry concluded today morning at two that the man was no one but Peter Pettigrew and he has acknowledged that all the crimes committed by Mr. Black were his doings which includes the association in the murder of the Potters and the murder of twenty muggles on the London street...
Mr. Black was brought in by Dumbledore in the morning by five his name was cleared of all charges and hence forth he is a free man, the ministry in return for trying Mr. Black without a trial have given him a compensation that has not yet been revealed by though "all is good between me and the ministry" is what he was quoted saying...
It went on and on to the next page and the next, half the daily prophet was full of news about Sirius's escape, his sightings and him shaking the hand on the minister last night. Dumbledore announced something but Harry was still immersed in the Prophet's articles as he did not notice the shocked hall return to the customary jabber and rumor spreading while Sirius walked in behind him.
"I see you read the Prophet before I could tell you," said Sirius in mock disappointment sitting down next to harry while Remus sat beside Audrey who was sitting opposite Harry, Ron and continued with breakfast as Harry hugged his godfather for a good minute or two and then spoke animatedly about his past three years in Hogwarts.
"Sirius can I ask you something?" asked Audrey as Remus looked at her over his toast while Sirius and Harry looked at her too, Sirius grinned like always,
"Sure," he said nodding.
"What exactly was this compensation that the ministry offered you?" Audrey asked curiously as Sirius grinned even more as he barked out laughing making a few jumpy Hufflepuff first years who were passing look at him horrified.
"Well—you see the minister wanted to cover up old Crouchy's mistake for not giving me a trial—he said I could ask for anything—and I did," said Sirius smirking as Audrey cocked her head curiously while Remus rolled his eyes at his best friend.
"I asked the minister if I could buy Hogwarts!" grinned Sirius as Harry and Audrey looked at him in disbelief as Ron's mouth almost dropped open to the table.
"And did you?" asked Audrey coolly trying her best not to sound sarcastic.
"Yes!—you are sitting with the guy who owns Hogwarts the castle—so whatever is in this building is mine—everything except the people!" said Sirius sitting up straighter as he looked over at the Slytherine table spotting Rachel sitting next to Jean, he waved at Jean who grinned and waved back.
"Can I ask you another thing?" asked Audrey as Sirius looked at her again and nodded nonchalantly.
"Why exactly did you buy Hogwarts?" asked Audrey putting all the curiosity in the sentence.
"Well—I –didn't—exactly—I was going to—you know I-" stammered Sirius as Harry chuckled while Sirius glared at Audrey. A small chuckle could be heard from the table behind Sirius. Sirius snapped his head around to look at the criminal and for some reason he had a very good way of getting back at him.
"Something funny, Snivellus?" asked Sirius as Remus choked on his toast sandwich, as Harry and Ron looked at each other, they wanted to burst out laughing but had to control it just in case Snape decided to chop off points for laughing.
Sirius glared at Severus who did not reply as Sirius smirked and continued to pass snide comments at Severus.
"I'd be careful if I were you Snivellus— I could ask Madam Pince to cancel your library membership if you dip your oil soaked hair into my books," smirked Sirius as Audrey looked on the situation uncomfortably. Severus closed his book and clenched his jaw, he had to retaliate now that the Slytherine's were looking at him with horror and depression that he hadn't replied to a Gryffindor's banter.
"Bit rich coming out of you Black, seeing you haven't touched a book in fifty years," sneered Severus as the Slytherines around him burst out laughing while people on the Gryffindor table glared at the potions master.
"At least I own all of them—tell me do you need money for shampoo—I'm willing to donate for the good of the world," smirked Sirius as the Gryffindor table burst out laughing the Weasley twins leading the clapping and the hooting.
"Just because you have money doesn't make your convict arse royal—so piss off Black at least I earn what I have –!" snarled Severus as his wand clenched the wand inside his robe pocket just in case.
"Yea, your father was an abusive drunkard muggle," muttered Sirius as the people around him and Snape were the only ones who heard it. Severus looked at Sirius, this was even low for him and Severus threw a last glance at Sirius and turned around and stormed out of the hall. A loud crash was heard outside the hall as Peeves came into the hall in tears as his polka dotted tie tightening around his neck by the second as his tongue was out of his mouth, it was obvious that he had tried to blow a raspberry at Severus and he had gotten a punishment that he hadn't expected.
"Bloody hell!" said Ron looking at Harry who gulped, they had potions next and he knew that it wasn't going to be very enjoyable.
Severus walked into his potion's class fuming like he was on fire, a few Slytherines fourth years had already settled into their desks as they set their work area. Severus sat down on his chair and sighed as he filled himself a glass of water to cool down.
Soon the fourth year class was full and his mood was still quite foul because of Black and not just that but Potter and Weasley listening to Blacks remark about his father.
A loud boom was heard from Longbottom's desk as Finnigan's face was black with soot as large boils started to grow on his face, the big one on his nose even burst as pus flew everywhere.
"Longbottom! You idiot! Come here this instant," snarled Severus as Neville gulped under the professor's glare.
"Thomas—escort him to the hospital wing,"said Severus as Neville quivered under his glare. The class grew silent as Snape said terrible things to Neville at the end of which fat tears ran down Neville cheeks, truth was the blast wasn't Neville's fault at all but when was Snape ever ready to listen to reason any Gryffindor had to offer.
The class ended as Ron and Hermione led Neville out, trying to cheer him up, even Hermione agreed to Ron's plans to murder Snape making Neville smile as he decided to skip lunch and go down to the lake to think, Hermione was skeptical and so she went with him just as a precaution.
Snape's foul mood became the talk around the Gryffindor table as Ron filled his plate with food.
"Your parcel Mr. Weasley," said the first year Nigel who stared at Harry and Audrey like they were blessed. Ron took the parcel and eyed it excitedly as Nigel was still standing there looking at Harry and Audrey with awe as they both looked at him and then turned to their respective plates feeling awkward. Hermione had returned with Neville who looked happier elbowed Ron who was sitting besides her as Ron turned to see Nigel still gawking Harry.
"Not now, Nigel—not now," said Ron as the first year looked disappointed but went his way, Ron returned to admiring the big parcel that he received from home. He never received something like this from home, ever. Hermione eyed Ron skeptically as he slumped and replied to her obvious question.
"What, I told him I'd get him their autographs," said Ron as he tore open the brown paper wrapping around the box that contained something special for him.
"Impressive Ronald," said Sirius over his plate as Ron smirked at him, but his smile dropped when he realized the absurdity of the contents in the box.
"Mum—sent me a dress!" he exclaimed painfully as Harry picked up an odd sort of white frilly thing.
"Is there a bonnet?—ah hah!" he said waving the frill in the air.
"Put it down Harry," said Ron as he pulled the dress away from Harry and placed it next to Ginny.
"I think these came for you Ginny," said Ron as Ginny raised her head and looked horrified.
"I'm not wearing that—it's ghastly!" she said looking coldly at the vile robes.
"They're not for Ginny—they're for you—dress robes!" said Hermione as a few on the table laughed out loud, even Neville seemed to have gotten a smile on his face.
"Dress robes!—for what?" asked Ron surprised.
Severus had, had a rough day, rough was putting it quite lightly actually, with Black being let free and his buying over the whole castle and thereby finally granting himself right to strut about it like he owns it put Severus off in the worst ways possible. Why had Pettigrew gotten himself caught? Why couldn't he have just been the rat he was supposed to be?
Black was a born maniac and the worst possible menace that has ever walked the earth even his parents would have agreed had they been alive, besides Black was a born a serial murder plotter, he had tried to kill Severus on some many occasions, no they were not occasions they had been very customary attacks that happened almost every day of his school life and now Black was back with Lupin who acted like he loved the world but Severus knew where Lupin's true loyalties lie and they were certainly never with him, but it didn't matter he didn't need pity from a werewolf.
Severus slumped into the cushioned armchair in his private quarters as the dungeons became colder with the advent of winter and snowfall which was currently covering the grounds with a soft white blanket as if lulling it to sleep.
Speaking of sleep Severus discarded his teaching robes and pushed himself into the couch, relaxing his tense body wishing he wouldn't be lazy and just go for a soak in the tub but instead of getting up he fell asleep on the couch in his white shirt and black pant, his shoes still on.
Two hours into his nap Severus was rather rudely shaken awake by a sharp knock on the door, he frowned in his sleep knowing it would probably just be Trelawney telling him about some stupid prediction she was making about his day and he didn't need that wretched woman making any more pathetic predictions about him, not after Black was back. Severus had to speak to Dumbledore about her, he had been having frequent visits from her since the past year when she had moved her rooms next to his and it was not funny.
The knocking became more prominent as it grew louder making Severus furiously walk to the door and pull it open angrily while a sarcastic comment on his mouth.
"Finally," said Minerva exasperatedly as Severus slumped his sarcasm drowning away and dying, he had always been witty when it came to Minerva, she enjoyed it, but never sarcastic, he respected her for that and he would never insult the woman who took him in after what had happened between him and Rachel.
"You were not present at lunch," said Minerva quizzing his absence as he noticed Rachel leaning against the wall behind Minerva an annoyed expression very evidently dawning her beautiful face.
"I'm sure I had my reasons," he said wanting to yawn but substituting it with a sharp inhalation of air.
"Fell asleep again didn't you?" asked Minerva sweetly as Severus sighed, there was no hiding anything from this woman, it annoyed him to the core sometimes, like now.
"What do you want Minerva?" he asked briefly.
"Well—the fourth year Slytherine's are not going to teach themselves how to dance on their own, are they?" she said in mock disapproval, he rolled his eyes, he did not want to teach a couple of fourth year idiots how to dance.
"Must I really?" he asked hoping to get out of this.
"Can we please go Aunt—besides Jean agreed to teach the class—why even ask him—it is pretty obvious he doesn't want to teach it." muttered Rachel in the background as Minerva glared at her.
"Well—great then—I believe he's a perfect replacement!" snarled Severus the word replacement meant exactly what he wanted to proclaim.
"Oh! For Merlin's sake—stop it-both of you, you're worse than the first years, it's been years since—don't you think there should some amount of understanding now—some sort of grown initiative," said Minerva putting her foot before Severus could close the door on them.
"I don't think there needs to be any understanding at all—not with death eaters at the least," said Rachel as Severus's anger became very evident on his face as Minerva knew what this was going to end with, it was best if she just waited till they got it out of their systems—she wondered if fourteen years of loathing would take too long, of course it would, but she was wrong as Rachel stood there ready for a brawl with Severus Minerva looked into her eyes, tears lined them threatening to fall any instant as the woman drew a deep breath and held it in. Minerva knew Severus had noticed it too, what surprised her that just as he noticed he withdrew what he was about to say, something very cold and satirical which he knew would depress Rachel further. Minerva was impressed she knew it must have taken a lot of will power for him to do what he did, she had hope for Severus because he wasn't the cold man who he portrayed to be, he was still very much in love with her daughter, too much.
"Good Day Minerva," said Severus as he shut the door on the women as Rachel stood up straighter as she looked oddly at the door as she cocked her head slightly, she knew exactly what her mother was thinking and she also knew that every bit of was true, she loved the man who shut the door on her many years ago but she had failed terribly to do the same even if she demonstrated the opposite. Why did he love her, why? He had no right—no bloody right!
"Do you not think it is time you spoke to him?" asked Minerva as Rachel turned around and walked away Minerva knew her daughter would never let anyone catch her crying, not even her mother.
The dance class went very well as Professor Claude danced with the hot Durmstrang Herbology teacher several clapped and hooted for a another demonstration but their demands were not met as headmaster Karkaroff did not like Professor Claude's motives on his young girlfriend.
AN/- i hope you liked this chapter and the story so far-the plot thickens in the next chapter-which i promise will come soon. Hope you enjoyed it-do review. =)