AN/- Not to get too mushy but I am celebrating three years of me being on fanfiction today-woo hoo-and therefore and update was necessary-this one's pretty long so I suppose it will cover the treat that i wanted to post tomorrow seeing that it's my birthday (yes..yes..one day before Alan Rickman's I am very lucky-at least i keep telling my self that). Just wanted to take this opportunity to thank everyone whose been reading, reviewing, favourating and alerting my stories-thanks and I hope you have enjoyed them as much as I have.
Anyways-hope you'll have fun reading this chapter-it's especially for you guys.
Also Jayc thanks again for reviewing-really appreciate any feedback from any one reading-I think it is absolutely essential to know what everyone thinks.
EVERYONE WHO WANTED SOME RACHEL SEVERUS INTERACTION-ENJOY!
Chapter 46
No one could tell when the Christmas break had passed and the day of return dawned on them, Mrs. Weasley had gone to all extent and booked the knight bus which would be delivering all the students to Hogsmeade from where they'd walk to Hogwarts with Tonks and Remus who would be accompanying them, they'd then floo back.
Audrey had been packing her trunk since morning and had finally gotten most of her things in, she had even managed to ask Sirius to shrink her violin to a more manageable size and she was placing the bits of last minute packing into her trunk as someone knocked on her door.
"Are you packed then?" asked Rachel walking into the room that was empty except for Audrey and her extremely organized trunk.
"Sort off," replied Audrey as she buckled the locks and shut the trunk with a sharp click. Rachel waved her wand over the trunk and it disappeared to the floors below where the other trunks were settled.
"My wand?" asked Audrey remembering clearly that her mother still had her wand hostage as punishment.
"What wand?" asked Rachel frowning.
"The one you have," said Audrey exasperatedly, really was she going to be playing this stupid game now?
"You have your own wand love—yes I know—I'm your mother Audrey—these tricks you play—I have successfully played all of them," smiled Rachel as Audrey bit her lower lip.
"Are you mad?" asked Audrey scrapping the worn out carpet with her sneakers.
"I can never be mad at you—not for too long anyways—besides I think you didn't use your wand as much so that must account for some sort of punishment," said Rachel looking amused at her daughter together they went down where Mrs. Weasley was announcing the arrival of the Knight Bus.
"Come here," said Rachel pulling her daughter into a tight embrace as Audrey wrapped her arms around her mother and settled her head in her favourite spot, she sighed—it had been a long time since her mother had hugged her—maybe a few months and even though Audrey was in denial—she clearly missed her mother very much—her ever nagging presence had been very absent and it made Audrey feel a little lonely although her friends, father and Sirius had made up for that.
Audrey let go off her mother and turned to the door where Sirius was standing looking at Harry go out, he gave Ron, Hermione, Fred, George and Ginny quick hugs. Audrey felt her mouth go dry, she had forgotten all about Sirius not being there this term seeing that her grandfather had felt he would be much more effective here and that Hagrid would soon be back.
Audrey walked to the door feeling worse than before as Sirius smiled at her and she smiled back at him.
"You're a very different person—then the first time I met you," said Sirius smiling as Audrey scoffed in reply.
"Yes, because the first time you ever met me I was possibly too young to even remember," said Audrey chuckling as he cocked his head and shook it, although he did laugh at her lame joke as she sighed, she would miss him too and she would miss him a lot.
"I'm glad I was wrong about you in the beginning," he replied pulling her into a tight hug as she hugged him back.
"I'm glad too," she commented as he let her go and nodded shaking her hand as she bowed her head in appreciation and made her way to the rest of her friends.
Classes began in full swing as Harry and Audrey now had a new thing on their heads, they needed to learn legillimency—Audrey knew this wasn't going to be very easy for either of them—well especially for Harry since even after hours of coaxing, Dumbledore had been adamant that Harry learn Legillimency from Severus who only wished to be rid of this extra responsibility as soon as possible but he obviously didn't see any hopes there.
Audrey was going to begin her first legillimency class today after breakfast in her grandmother's sitting room in her quarters. So after whatever she could digest before the class she did at breakfast and then she set out to the teacher's living quarters unlike Harry who was told to be there in Severus's office by nine o'clock sharp.
Audrey knocked on the door labelled M. McGonagall as it was answered by her grandmother who let her in instantly shutting the door behind her.
"Go inside—you're mother is waiting for you," smiled her grandmother encouragingly as Audrey nodded and made her way to the place she had been directed.
"Finally!" began her mother shaking her head a little as Audrey blushed, it was true she was a little late, alright maybe a little more than just a little late—may be something in the compara—superlative degree would suit it.
"Sorry," muttered Audrey sheepishly as Rachel shook her head a little angrily.
"Well—don't be late again—I have other things to do too!" began Rachel as Audrey nodded.
"Right—sit down—let's begin with the basic explanation of this exercise," said Rachel pacing the room making her look a lot like her father.
"Legillimency is a skill not acquired very easily—it needs time and patience to learn—in your case—we have neither—you will need to master not only the technique of legillimency but also the art of Occlumency," said Rachel as if she was teaching some class.
"The similarity in between these two arts is that they are both branches of magic used to control the mind, the difference—one is used to control the mind—the other to defend," finished her mother simply.
"I will be using legillimency while you will be taught how to use Occlumency to defend yourself and your memories," said Rachel.
"You must first—clear your mind—of everything that you don't wish to be interrogated about," said Rachel giving Audrey the time to prepare herself but not enough.
"Legillimens" she shouted pointing her wand at her daughter as she was thrown into a large collection of memories that she had been part of—the one that struck her the most was when Audrey received her vice-captain post, she wondered why Audrey was thinking about this, the memory swirled and changed into the memory of the one on the night before Christmas as Audrey sat on the thin ice sheet while Harry pushed a strand of hair behind her ear and leaned forward—but before Rachel could see further she had been pushed out of Audrey's head. Audrey was panting as if she had been swimming, she felt dizzy as a rather hard headache hit her and made her feel breathless, it went as soon as it came as a few seconds later she could hear her mother speaking to her.
"Not bad for a beginner—beginners luck I would put it as—you've got to practice Audrey—practice hard!" said Rachel shaking her head as Audrey held hers in her hands.
"Come on clear your head," said Rachel as Audrey did what she was told but failing once again to do it on time.
A few hours into their practice there was a knock at the door; Rachel was forced to pull out of Audrey's head while she almost fell out of her seat. Minerva peeped in as she waited for one of them to respond.
"What?" asked Rachel professionally as Minerva walked inside the room and helped Audrey sit back into her chair.
"Are you alight?" she asked the girl who shook her head slowly her breathing was heavy and she seemed rather woozy.
"Yes—she's fine—I suppose we should stop for the day—go on go for lunch," said Rachel as Audrey tried to get her head back on her shoulders, she couldn't really tell where she was anymore.
"Rachel—maybe you should help her get up," said Minerva walking into the door sitting down next to Audrey as she transfigured a glass of water and pushed it to Audrey's lips.
"I'm fine," mumbled Audrey getting to her feet and then wobbling a little as her vision became clear all of a sudden.
"She's fine," said Rachel getting up as she straightened her robes and then nodded at her mother a final look at her daughter and she flooed away to Merlin knew where she was headed.
Audrey didn't know how but she managed to make her way to the great hall, she was starving and wondered if she could beat Ron in eating today.
Audrey looked for Harry on the table but failed to find him, she knew Ron and Hermione might as well have gone to Hogsmeade seeing that they didn't have to do much here either and anywhere away from Umbridge was better. Seeing the number of detentions she had been handing out recently most of the school had started to consider her worse than Professor Snape too, this obviously displeased Severus to some extent but he was sure he could live with it as long as he did not have to bring down his NEWT grades to the blundering 'E's.
A while into lunch Audrey felt someone come and settle down besides her, she turned to see Harry pilling his plate like he had never eaten in years a few minutes and half his plate was empty.
"Tough day," she asked as Harry snorted.
"You have no idea," he replied wolfing down most of his mashed potatoes.
"I am not surprised," she said placing a spoon full of peas into her mouth as Harry looked at her and rolled his eyes swallowing as someone walked up behind them and stood looming over them.
"Harry!" came a rather angry voice as Harry and Audrey turned behind together to look at Cho looking angrily at Audrey.
"Cho!" smiled Harry as got up but Cho seemed rather angry to accept his happy greeting.
"It's been a week Harry but you haven't even said a considerate hello to me you keep telling me that your busy with remedial potions—but you seem to have time right now," snapped Cho looking hurtfully at Audrey.
"I am not lying Cho," said Harry genuinely as Audrey tried her best to stay out of the conversation.
"Well unless she's teaching you remedial potions I don't see enough reason as to why you want to sit with her," snapped Cho as Audrey stood instinctively while Harry looked at her hurt.
"I'll see you later in the common room Harry," she said as she pulled herself out of the row of tables and then sprinted out of the hall.
Audrey made her way to the lake, it was a good place to think, Audrey was both upset and angry. Upset that Harry hadn't said anything to Cho about her being an insecure bitch and angry at herself for not trying to hex the girl. She didn't really like Cho anymore, she felt like an annoying obstacle for no reason at all seeing that Cho knew very well that she and Harry were only friends, it was for her that Audrey hadn't spoken to Harry about her feelings—she didn't want to be a wall or whatever between them when they were already together, she had no business doing that and nor did Cho have any business poking her nose in between Audrey and Harry's friendship. Audrey knew what Cho kept telling Harry, this wasn't the first time Audrey had stalked off when Cho came to say 'hello'. Audrey had once over heard her Cho bitching about her to Harry as Harry didn't say anything back but changed the topic.
"Why do you hang out with her?"
"I don't like her Harry—she gives me bad vibes,"
"She's Snape's daughter—she doesn't deserve your friendship,"
"She just hangs out with you because no one else wants to be friends with her,"
How did it matter anymore, Audrey climbed back up the steps towards the school as she noticed smoke floating up into the air from Hagrid's hut. Just when she was going to walk away she heard someone call out to her. She saw Hermione running towards her at full speed.
"Come on Hagrid's back," she smiled pulling Audrey's hand and dragging her at the same speed towards Hagrid's hut. When they did reach the large cottage Audrey noticed Ron and Harry looking through the large window into Hagrid's hut. Hermione frowned but pulled herself and Audrey towards the window. They noticed exactly why the boys hadn't gone inside.
"This is the last time I will ask you this— where did you go?" Umbridge asked Hagrid angrily.
"I told you I had gone away for me health—ya know a wee bit of fresh air," said Hagrid waving his arms around.
"Yes—of coarse because as grounds keeper fresh air must be very hard to come by," said Umbridge dauntingly as if she were testing his intelligence. Hagrid only replied with a shrug as Umbridge twisted her ugly evil face in to a smug smirk as she disgustedly looked around Hagrid's house.
"I wouldn't' really bother unpacking if I were you," she smirked and then pulled out her handkerchief and pulled open the door with it. Once she was out she sprayed herself with the sweetest perfume that could possibly give any normal person a headache for years. She then turned around and sprayed the perfume on Hagrid's door in an 'X' obviously symbolising Hagrid's end in the school.
A few minutes after Umbridge's departure, Harry knocked on the door as Hagrid answered it with a large steak of beef in his hand that he was dabbing on his face full of tiny bruises and scars.
"Come on in," he said as softly as he could as he let all the four in and shut the door behind them.
"It so good to see you Hagrid," smiled Hermione happily as Hagrid returned her smile but only faintly, he filled their tea cups and placed a plate of cold rock cakes in front of them which only Ron dared to pick up.
"So where have you been?" asked Harry instantly as Hagrid looked at him as it had once again begun to snow heavily outside. Hagrid looked at them uneasily as he dabbed the meat on his face while his dog barked for it.
"This is a secret—by secret I mean top secret—Dumbledore had sent me to parley with the giants," said Hagrid as Harry leaned forward for more information.
"And did you find them?" asked Hermione.
"Well, yea—they aren't exactly invisible ya know!" smiled Hagrid as Hermione blushed a little.
"Well Olympe and I have been speaking to the giants all summer and then I ta do it on me own seeing she had ta go back to 'er school," said Hagrid as Fang barked louder and Hagrid threw the meat at him in frustration.
"And?" asked Audrey pushing Hagrid for information, this was when he jumped in his seat and then settled back.
"Blimey—I thought you was—never mind—and I gave 'em Dumbledore's message and reminded them of how he'd supported him in previous times," said Hagrid uncomfortably.
"And they did this to you?" asked Audrey looking at Hagrid as she pulled out a healing salve she kept around in her pocket just in case of bruises.
"Well not exactly, no," replied Hagrid as he gratefully accepted the healing salve from Audrey.
"Death eaters?" piped Ron worriedly his mouth full of rock cake as Hermione glared at him, how could the boy still be eating.
"Yea—they've been on the move trying to make the giants come over to their side—to join you-know-who," said Hagrid getting up and walking over to window as a huge gush of wind blew open the window bringing in snow with it.
"It's changing out there, just like last time— there's a storm coming Harry, we is best be prepared when she does," said Hagrid blankly as the worry in his voice increased by tenfold.
Another week into school and another Saturday came as Rachel stepped out of Audrey's mind once more unsatisfied that her daughter was not picking up in the main thing concerning her life.
"You didn't practice did you?" asked Rachel a little displeased as Audrey held her head, they had been practicing for an hour.
"I didn't get any time—I had so much homework, especially from dad—he doesn't stop with one essay per week—more like three five feet essays every week on the shortest topics you can find and then there's so much transfiguration homework and—," began Audrey but it seemed as if her mother didn't have time to listen to her, she seemed too short with her today.
"I don't care Audrey—when I tell you to do something—you do it!" snapped Rachel as Audrey fell silent.
"Clear your head," she said again angrily as Audrey sighed and tried to think of nothing. Just as Rachel raised her wand there was a knock on the door. Minerva's head popped in.
"Rachel—your father wants to see you instantly I suppose you two have to cut it short for today," smiled Minerva as Rachel lowered her hand and Audrey opened her eyes and sighed a little relieved.
"I want you to practice Audrey—everyday before you go to bed—if you don't I will know!" said Rachel as Audrey shook her head, Rachel placed her wand inside her robes and crossed her hands over her chest as she looked at her daughter who was looking at the floor.
"Come here," said Rachel pulling her daughter into a tight embrace.
"Merlin, you make me so angry sometimes," said Rachel resting her chin on Audrey's head as Audrey hugged her mother back.
"I didn't mean to, really—I just can't wrap my head around this fast—I'm sorry," said Audrey, she felt rather stupid seeing that she couldn't learn something did that to people.
"I have to go now but I'll see you next week—practice," said Rachel kissing the top of Audrey's head and squeezing her leaving her to pack up and leave as Minerva spoke to Audrey.
"I need to leave for Hogsmeade for some work—pack up and shut the door dear, it will ward itself," said Minerva and Audrey agreed as she pushed her homework into her bag that she had been doing before her mother had gotten there, she heard her grandmother leave.
Audrey picked up her bag, she was oblivious to the fact that something had begun to slowly rise from the ground and float in the air only a few steps away, she walked out of the door and turned to shut it when she finally saw it, a basin like apparatus floating in mid air full of liquid.
Audrey dumped her bag on a chair and shut the door behind her; she reached the pensieve and pulled out her wand to mix the silvery liquid floating in it. She wondered if she should grab a sneak peak preview into what memories her mother's past, the memories that she held so secret that she didn't want her daughter to know about. Audrey was tempted—very tempted. She pushed her face into the liquid falling into an abyss of space as she then was unceremoniously dumped on the ground.
Audrey got up instantly and dusted herself, she looked around to see where she was, King's Cross station wasn't unknown to her anymore. She tried to look for her mother but couldn't find her, a little chaos ensued somewhere on the platform as an eleven year old was being scolded by his mother for making his father slip.
"It will be alright-you'll see darling—I don't know what you're so worried about?" said someone behind Audrey, she instantly recognized the voice—it was her grandmother—well a way younger version of her with a eleven year old girl—her mother—her mother was eleven—this was her first day as going to Hogwarts.
"I know—but what if they don't like me mum," she whispered looking down and pouting Audrey smiled her mother still pouted like that.
"Why in the world would you think so love?" asked Minerva leaning further towards her daughter as the girl shifted her weight from one side to the other.
"Just—I don't know," said the girl sighing as her pout grew in size, Minerva smiled and cleared the girl's face of her dark auburn hair.
"Well then you can't say that without trying to make friends and besides you'll always have James," smiled Minerva as a faint smile grew across Rachel's face.
"Ready then?" asked a woman coming in behind as Minerva stood up straighter and smiled at her daughter, she nodded at the woman and her family as she pulled the boy's cheek.
"Ready then James?" she asked the boy.
"You bet—can't wait to see my godfather again—why doesn't Albus ever have the time to visit—I get bored of Rachel—she's so obsessed with her stupid bo-bo!" snapped James as Rachel blew a raspberry at him and James did the same.
"Well you'll get to meet him a lot often now James," smiled Minerva as James nodded happily.
Rachel hugged her mother goodbye as she followed James and his family towards the train as Mrs. Potter told the boy to act straight and to for Merlinsake stop pulling pranks.
Rachel and James climbed into the train that lurched into movement a few moments later, as Rachel almost fell down but James helped her.
"Thanks," she muttered as James smiled at her.
"What you worried about Rach—you've always got me," he said smiling as Rachel smiled back at him and pulled him into a hug.
"You're the best god brother ever," said Rachel smiling as James laughed.
"Hey—can we sit here—every else in full and well—we don't want to sit in the Slytherine side," smiled James to the shaggy haired boy in the compartment as the boy looked at him and smiled.
"Sure—I'm Sirius—Sirius Black," said the boy offered James his arm and then Rachel.
"James Potter and Rachel—Adams," said James introducing them both as the eleven year olds began talking.
The compartment door opened again as a girl with red hair poked her head in.
"There place here Severus!" she smiled back at someone, Audrey looked straight at the door.
"Can we join you?" asked the red head as James sat up and smirked.
"Yea sure!" he said pointing at the empty seats opposite him, the red head entered with a black haired boy who was as thin as a stick, he removed his hair from his eyes and sat down next to the girl who was introducing herself to everyone.
"I'm Lily Evans," she smiled.
"I'm Rachel Adams, this is James Potter and that's Sirius Black," offered Rachel delighted that she seemed to be setting of well.
"What about you?" asked James to the boy in front of him.
"I'm Severus Snape," said the boy looking at no one in particular, as Sirius suddenly began to snigger, Lily frowned and glared at him as James burst out laughing.
A few minutes into conversation that did not include any inputs from Severus, James pulled up the topic of houses.
"So what house are you going to be in?" he asked proudly as if knowing where he was going to end up.
"You can't say really—In Hogwarts: A History-" began Lily but her voice trailed away as James cut in.
"I'm going to be in Gryffindor—where the brave dwell at heart," he said a proudly as he puffed up his chest.
"If you'd rather be brawny than brainy," replied Severus as James glared him.
"And what about you?" James asked looking a little angrily at Severus
"We want to be in Slytherine," replied Lily as she smiled at Severus who gave her a faint smile back.
"Why would anyone want to be in Slytherine?" sneered James disgustedly as he turned to Sirius who said something.
"My whole family has been in Slytherine,"
"Bloody hell—you almost seemed normal," smirked James as Sirius chuckled.
"Yea—maybe I'll break the tradition," smiled Sirius as they turned to look at Rachel
"Well—I don't really care what house I am in," she said shrugging, as Lily smiled at her.
"We can stick together as long as you aren't in Slytherine," smiled James pulling Rachel in a noogie as she pushed him away, glaring sharply as him while James winked at her.
"What's wrong with Slytherine?" asked Lily angrily.
"Slytherine house is full bad wizards and witches, there isn't one witch or wizard from that house who hasn't gone dark," replied James shuddering.
"That's stereotypical," snarled Severus as Lily nodded and James smirked.
"Really is it Severus? What sort of name is that anyway?" asked James scornfully as Sirius couldn't help but laugh louder.
"Yea-sounds like Snivellus," piped Sirius as James laughed like he had gone mental.
"Come on Severus—let's find somewhere else to sit," said Lily angrily as she got up and stood at the door.
"Yea—see ya Snivellus!" laughed James as Sirius held his stomach laughing.
"Do you want to come?" asked Severus as he turned to look at Rachel, Rachel snapped her head away from glaring at James and looked at Severus and Lily who were waiting for her at the door.
Rachel looked at James who was still laughing as she turned her head back to Severus; she nodded firmly and then picked up her small bag pack and walked out of the door with them leaving James aghast but still he couldn't help but laugh.
The train memory changed into the memory of her mother's sorting as Audrey noticed her mother being sorted into Gryffindor along with James, Lily, Sirius, Remus and Peter as her father got sorted into Slytherine.
Other memories flew by as she saw her mother grow closer to Lily and Severus over the years but Audrey noticed that her mother never gave up on James and he never gave up on her either, she became close to the marauders as well but she always stood up with Lily when James pulled his stupid pranks which always involved Severus somehow. Some Audrey realised just why her father hated Harry's father so much—he was a prat to him and well seeing that he kept picking on him made him even more bitter and angry.
Several memories sifted by as she saw how her mother got more closer to her father, they were partners in potions, she sucked at it while he was fabulous, he coached her in potions while she helped him out in charms. She also noticed how her father looked longingly at their other best friend—Lily Evans seemed to capture all his attention almost all the time. Sometimes he used to forget that Rachel was even sitting with them when Lily spoke animatedly about the things that she had found interesting, but Rachel didn't mind, as long as she got to sit with them, But Audrey wasn't blind like her now fifteen year old father who was sitting in his Defence OWLS she could tell that however much Lily Evans tried to deny it, she was falling for James Potter—it was so very obvious.
There was a bell that sounded as Audrey saw her father scribbling exceptionally fast into his parchment it was as if his head was stuck onto the parchment as his quill flew across the parchment. Someone sniggered in the background as Audrey's eyes went over to Sirius who was sitting behind her godfather, Remus too was curiously cross checking his answers.
The papers were soon taken away as Audrey saw her mother speak to Lily about the examination but when she turned around to look for her father, he had already disappeared. A few minutes and the two happy girls went down to the lake as Audrey followed them listened to their conversation.
"I am so glad exams are over—I don't think I could really be able to live with myself and those awful books anymore," smiled Lily crashing down into the soft grass as Rachel sat down next to her laughing as she agreed.
"Where is Severus?" asked Lily as Rachel shrugged.
"Don't know I tried to look but he just disappeared," smiled Rachel as Lily nodded and looked ahead.
"What's wrong?" Rachel asked her friend worriedly.
"You think I should tell Severus I have a crush on James?" Lily asked conflicted as Rachel looked bit her lip.
"I don't know Lily—he really hates James," said Rachel as Lily nodded.
"I guess you're right—but maybe if he knew how much I like James maybe they could sort out a truce—and James has been begging me to go out with him," smiled Lily crossing her legs.
"I think Severus likes you," said Rachel a little dejectedly, she didn't just think it—she knew it.
"Wha—What—that's ridiculous—Severus—is like my brother—I mean I am sure he just—you don't think he?" asked Lily a little shocked as Rachel shrugged in response.
"I thought you liked him," smiled Lily as Rachel's face blushed deep scarlet as she shook her head as slowly as she could.
"Don't lie to me Rachel—I am your best friend!" scoffed Lily.
"Yes—but he likes you Lil—why would he like me—I mean look at me!" said Rachel standing up as she stood by the lake.
"That's such rubbish Rachel—why won't you just accept it that you're pretty—when you might as well look like Aphrodite," said Lily shaking her head.
"I don't look like Aphrodite," said Rachel shaking her head as Lily rolled her eyes.
"Besides—I am sure if Sev likes me—he can't do much can he—I don't like him that way—I mean we've known each other so well for so many years—a relationship with him would be really awkward—I mean I know him so well—he's like a brother I've never had!" said Lily as she came and stood next to Rachel.
"But—"Rachel began.
"Besides I like James— Rachel, live with it!" snapped Lily looked at her friend who slumped but nodded.
Suddenly there was a loud commotion coming from above the lake on the grounds that was in between the lake and the school.
"Come on!" said Lily putting her robe back on and pinning her prefect badge on as the two girls raced to the crowd that had gathered around a tree, the tree where they usually sat at—this had do something with Severus.
"Well- Well—if it isn't Snivellus playing I-spy," smirked James as Severus pulled out his wand from his robe pocket.
"Expelliarmus!" smirked Sirius as Severus dodged the hex.
"Levicorpus!" shouted Severus as the spell missed Sirius by a hair.
"Expelliarmus!" shouted James as Severus's wand flew to the other side and rest under James's feet as he smirked cruelly.
"Give it back Potter!" snarled Severus walking forward as he was hit square in the chest by a sharp Impedimenta and then by his own spell. Severus was now hanging upside down by his foot, he twitched as he tried to get himself free of the curse.
"Get me down Potter you fuc**** prat!" snarled Severus as Sirius laughed and Peter gather more crowds who laughed at Severus's expense.
"Who wants to see me take off Snivellus's trousers?" asked James laughing menacingly as the crowd laughed and cheered him on as Peter began the slogan.
"Snivellus stinks—Snivellus stinks!"
Audrey couldn't believe what she was seeing, she couldn't believe her father was hanging upside down in the air, she walked through the crowds along with her mother and Lily as they looked angrily at James.
"Put him down now Potter!" snarled Lily angrily as James laughed.
"Ah! Evans—brilliant you and Rachy could join the show!" smirked James as Rachel pulled Remus from under the tree.
"Do something—you're a prefect!" she scolded him as Remus bit his lower lip and then sighed.
"James—let him be," said Remus faintly as James turned around to look at a glaring Rachel and a defeated looking Remus.
"Sure thing Moony!" laughed James as Sirius laughed his head off as well while Peter sat and giggled.
"What's he done to you?" snapped Lily angrily as James smirked at her and crossed his hands over his chest studying her.
"Alright—Evans—I'll make you a deal—I'll let Snivellus down if you promise to go on a date with me," smirked James as Lily blushed crimson.
"I wouldn't go out with you if I had to choose between you and the giant squid," snarled Lily angrily as Audrey couldn't help but burst out laughing.
"Let him down James!" said Rachel angrily.
"Fine, party pooper!" said James disappointedly as he let Severus drop with caring enough to let him fall with a sharp thud, just as Severus fell he pushed himself towards his wand as he cleared the hair away from his face as a dark sneer crossed his face.
"You're getting off easy Snivellus—you should be thanking Evans," smiled James as Lily glared at him.
"I don't need help from a mudblood like her!" snarled Severus as Audrey froze—she couldn't believe her father had just called his best friend that—why—what made him so angry? She was just trying to help. But Audrey wasn't the only one who froze—Rachel was so taken aback the emotion on her face dropped while Lily looked abased, worst of all Severus looked like he was going to hit himself.
"Wash your mouth!" snarled James shouting a scorgify at Severus as a few bubbles rose out of his face when Severus opened his mouth.
"Stop it! You're as bad as him—you go around bullying everyone who isn't as strong as you," shouted Lily.
"Evans—I would never call you-," began James solemnly as Lily turned around and sprinted back to the castle, Rachel behind her.
The scene drifted from the green grounds to the girls' dormitory as the dark sky outside symbolized night time. Lily sat on her bed in her pyjamas her knees folded into her chest as Rachel sat down next to her friend, she however was completely dressed a short muggle denim skirt and a full sleeve grey t-shirt.
"I hate him!" decided Lily as a few tears slipped down her cheeks.
"He's your best friend—I know this hurt Lil but think about it—maybe he was just angry," said Rachel trying to reason as Lily shook her head.
"You're just siding with him because you like him!" finished Lily.
"No! Lily—I would never do that—I'm just trying to think of both perspectives," said Rachel.
Someone entered the dormitory as they spoke to Lily and Rachel and then settled down on the bed.
"Snape is outside—says he'll sleep there if you don't go talk to him Lily,"
"I not going Rachel!" said Lily stubbornly.
"But Lily—you can't just not go-at least listen to what he wants to say!" said Rachel pleadingly.
"No!"
"Lily! Merlin—fine—I'll go talk to him—but you have to come if I come and get you—you can stay in the common room till then," said Rachel getting up and storming out of the dormitory as Lily got up and followed her.
Rachel went through the portrait hole as Audrey followed her waiting to see what her mother was going to do. The minute Severus saw Rachel his face saw some sort of relief, he got up from the floor and looked reproachfully at Rachel.
"What do you want?" she asked harshly as Severus sighed and began talking.
"Rachel—please tell her I'm sorry—tell her I never meant it—it just slipped out!" he said explaining.
"Slipped out! You and your little death eater friends call muggle-borns mudblood all the time—so why did it 'slip out' when you speak to Lily!" snarled Rachel angrily as Severus flinched.
"Please Rachel—I beg you—please get her out here—I just need to see her—I'll do anything," he said falling to his knees and begging her to listen to him, a look of pity crossed Rachel's face as she stepped away from him.
"Stay here!" she said shortly and then walked into the dormitory, a few minutes later she came back with Lily who looked extremely cross.
"Lily! Please! Listen to me! I'm sorry—I'm sorry—I'll do anything just don't be mad—I'm sorry Lily," he said once again begging—Audrey felt terrible for him—he was being subjected to begging again and again, the Severus Snape would never beg now—he would make others beg.
"Anything?" asked Lily looking at him a little softly as Severus nodded.
"You've got to promise me that you'll stop hanging out with those wannabe death eaters," she said as Severus nodded earnestly.
"I promise," he said as a small smile crossed Lily's lips as she hugged him tightly.
"That's good!" said Lily as Severus smiled and looked at her longingly, Audrey knew the look—she had seen so many seniors with that look—she had seen Jean with that look for her mother for an entire year, before he had asked her out.
"We'll see you tomorrow Sev," smiled Lily as they began returning to the dormitory.
"Lily!" he called out to her as Lily turned and so did Rachel.
"I need—I wanted—to—I was—I wanted to say something else as well," he said biting his lower lips and gulping as Lily crooked her head listening.
"I—I—really—I just—I wanted—what I am saying is—I think I'm falling in love with you!" he said as fast as he could as Lily straightened her head, she then turned to look at Rachel who gave a little like I-told-you-so shrug back to Lily.
"What?" asked Lily a little stricken as Severus cringed; he knew this was absolutely inappropriate and unacceptable.
"Sev—you're like—I think of you as my brother—as my friend—you're my best friend—but—I don't think I can love you the other way," said Lily a little sadly, she knew she was hurting him.
"Right—I—It was stupid—it was a stupid thing to say," he replied chuckling forcefully as Rachel it her lip.
"I'm sorry—but I like—I like James, Severus—he's promised to change—he's really funny and nice and he really likes me and I don't think I could ever feel that way about you," said lily, she wanted to clear the air out. Severus was dumbstruck as he nodded. Audrey couldn't believe it—her father had been in love with Harry's mother—no wonder everyone kept looking at Harry and her that way—it was like they were some sorts of twisted pawns in the hands of Merlin who had decided to make the coincidence possible—she knew just how much she cared for Harry—but she still didnt know if Harry would ever return her feelings.
"But we're still best friends aren't we Sev?" asked Lily as Severus smiled and nodded, Lily then made an excuse of her feet growing cold outside. Audrey stood there looking at her mother and her father who just stood there looking at each other.
"Severus—I'm sorry," she said as Severus looked at her.
"Why are you apologizing?" he asked angrily.
"Because you didn't get what you wanted she did," replied Rachel.
"I'll get someone better!" he said with half his heart in his sentence.
"I know you will!" she said closing the gap between them, Audrey's face burst into the brightest smiles—so this was how her parents got together—bloody hell her mother sure was bold, no wonder she didn't dare take any steps like this after this one tanked on her a few years after this incident.
Severus wasn't kissing her back, she knew she had just committed the world most idiotic mistake, she was so stupid, retarded-his hands went into her hair as they settled there, feeling the soft auburn waves between his fingers as he pushed her face lightly into his as she continued to kiss him, he kissed her back as she traced her arms around his neck, his other hands went on her waist holding her close as the hand in her hair dropped to her face as they snogged for what was like a minute. She broke the kiss in need for air as he rest his head against her forehead.
"I really like you Severus—," she said to him as he smiled back at her.
"I know—I concluded," he replied kissing her lips lightly as she smiled.
"I like you too—I just—I didn't know what came over me—with Lily—that I didn't realize—I was wrong—I just need to get my mind set on you now—I think we can work it out," he said as she pushed her lips to his once more.
Several more memories passed Audrey—she saw how her parents had to keep their relationship a secret in the beginning and as they grew older they fell in love with other way more than Audrey had seen anyone together—she noticed just how much James was hurt by Rachel's "betrayal" while lily loved that they were together. She saw just how her father proposed to her mother after they graduated at the ball. Then she saw something she had absolutely no wish seeing, possibly that was when they made her and then it came—the memory Audrey was waiting for—she knew her mother would have discarded it into the pensieve seeing just how she detested it.
The memory began with her mother unlocking the door to an apartment that looked like it was in a nice building of sorts. She entered the apartment to find Severus sitting in an arm chair in the living room staring at the book he was reading deep in thought. She shut the door behind her and went towards him as she walked around the arm chair and pushed her arms around his neck shaking him out of his trance as she kissed his cheek lightly.
"Good evening love," she smiled on his cheek.
"Hey," he replied as she pushed herself onto his lap, he smiled as he pushed his arm around her waist pulling her closer as he placed his head on her shoulder and kissed it slowly.
"How was work?" he asked softly.
"Boring, seeing you were ill and couldn't be there," she replied smiling making him chuckle slowly, Audrey smiled, Merlin—her parents were so corny and mushy!
"Lily had stopped by to say hello," he said as she smiled and kissed him.
"And what did Lily say?" she asked interested as she got out of the embrace and went to the connecting kitchen to get a glass of water from the fridge.
"Nothing—something about her and Potter not being on good terms—that their relationship is going all wonky," said Severus. Audrey wanted to laugh, she couldn't believe her father just used the word 'wonky'
"James is being a prat again—and with the baby on its way—he's just stressing Lily out," said Rachel shaking her head.
"Anyways—forget about that—I need to tell you something she said sitting down on the arm of the chair," she said happily as Severus frowned.
"How can you say that—Lily is our friend Rachel—if her life is being ruined it needs to have some impact on her—on us too!" snapped Severus angrily as Rachel frowned.
"Why are you acting like this—I don't mean anything by it—I just wanted to tell you something more important!" she said offended as Severus grew a little more angry.
"And what could possibly be more important than our friend's future?" asked Severus raising his eyebrows.
"It's between her and James—why do you care so much!" said Rachel getting up angrily as Severus frowned.
"She's my friend—I am bound to give a shit!" he said harshly as Rachel pushed her hand through her hair.
"So now Lily is more important than something I want to say," said Rachel hurt as she stormed into her room. Audrey could see a change in her father's emotions, he wasn't angry at her anymore, he just wanted to stop fighting.
"Ray—come on—this is stupid—Ray what are you doing?" he asked her as she went around in the bedroom pushing her things into a jinxed bag.
"I'm leaving—you can be happy with yourself and Lily," she snapped as tears rolled down her cheeks as Severus shook his head confused.
"Ray—what—this—this is stupid—Rachel—listen—come on listen," he said pulling her to him as she pushed him away.
"It is always about Lily isn't it—Lily—did this—Lily is unhappy—Lily was upset—Lily got a cut—well I'm sick of you talking about Lily—so you know what—you can keep your Lily—I am sick of being number two Severus and fact that you refuse to admit that you still have feelings for her is even more pathetic!" said Rachel as she whipped the tears off her cheeks with the sleeves of her shirt.
"Rachel—what—this—this is ridiculous," he said shaking his head.
"So now I am ridiculous," snarled Rachel as she pulled the bag over her shoulders and dodged her way through to the main door. Severus followed her.
"Rachel—Rachel—wait stop—Rachel please—I love you!" he called behind her but she wouldn't listen, she stopped at the side table near the door and pulled off the ring on her hand.
"Rachel—please—this is mad!" he said trying to make her change her mind, but she wouldn't listen she was too stubborn for her own good.
"I'll tell you what's mad Severus—the fact that I ever fell in love with you," she claimed as she opened the main door of the apartment.
"If you leave now—you might as well forever!" snarled Severus angrily.
"Fine—I promise you'll never have to see my face again!" she snarled right back at him as they glared at each other for a minute and then she was gone as she slammed the door in his face. Audrey looked at her father who stood there staring at the door with the hurt look on his face and walked forward to pick up the ring she had left behind, a tear slipped down his cheek as him quietly pocketed it.
"Dad!" she cried sadly as she felt like hugging him, consoling him, what her mother did seemed unfair but conflicting at the same time—but Lily was gone—she was gone—then why? Why her parents still at war over her?
Audrey felt a pull at her navel as the memory started to fall apart her nineteen something father disappeared and her head was now pushed out the pensieve. Audrey looked around the room to see no one there, she thanked her stars that her mother hadn't returned for any reason and nor had her grandmother. Audrey picked up her bag and exited the room making sure she had locked it. On her way to the great hall for lunch Audrey made a decision. She would do anything but she would have to get her parents back together—only thing left to do was find out exactly how she was going to be doing that in the first place—but her being her, she wasn't going to loaf around wondering, she was going to manipulate her way through to them—she make them see sense—she promised herself.
AN/- Do leave a review...I love reading what you guys have to say!