AN/- Suffering from major writers block-haven't written anything for days-it's as if my powers to write have been STOLEN!-don't worry I shall get to the bottom of it soon-or maybe it's that new story i have been thinking off-whatever-need to focus-a few reviews wont hurt =)
Chapter 55
The sixth year students were strictly told to stay back after breakfast so that they could be given the career counseling that they needed and thereby chose there three main subjects that they wished to pursue. After the other years had all left for their classes, four tables were placed below the head table stage with two chairs facing each other. The four head of the houses sat down on each table while their specific houses formed a single line. Audrey as always had woken up rather late, almost missed breakfast as she still chomped on the ham sandwich that Hermione had kindly saved for her as she stood at the end behind Harry and Neville, trying to shove the sandwich down her throat before it was her turn.
Everyone seemed to standing calmly and were not exactly worried about anything—after all this was only counseling, although after Pansy was told that her grades were too poor to apply for alchemy—she ran out of the hall as she burst into tears, she slipped and bruised herself.
"I'm worried," stated Neville looking rather distressed as Audrey frowned.
"Why?" she asked.
"Well—my grades aren't exactly golden you know," he said shrugging.
"Relax Neville—they can't be worse that pug faced Parkinson!" scoffed Audrey rolling her eyes as the Slytherine's standing in the line besides the Gryffindors heard her terse comment, Draco who was standing at the end glared at her while Crabbe cracked his knuckles.
"Yea—but I really don't want to go next!" said Neville shaking his head a little frightened at the prospect but he calmed down seeing Hermione leave slightly dejected—it wasn't just the ones with the bad grades then.
"Mr. Longbottom—sit down please," said Minerva politely as Neville handed her his OWL mark sheet, he noticed Snape make a rather bored face as he spoke to Crabbe who smirked and said he wanted to be just like his father—everyone knew what that meant. Neville noticed Snape hand Crabbe a leaflet that said he could try and re-take three exams of his choice in his sixth year.
"Well—what subjects do you want to choose Longbottom?" asked Professor McGonagall.
"I see an 'O' in Herbology—professor Sprout will be most pleased—then we have an 'E' in Defence which is also a good option—what about your third subject?" asked Minerva as Neville said something about transfiguration.
"I'm sorry Longbottom but I can't take you in my NEWTS class with an 'A' in transfiguration," said Minerva sternly but she dropped him another option.
"But you seem to have an 'E' in charms, why not chose that?" asked Minerva studying his report as Neville looked horrified.
"My grandmother thinks it's a soft option," replied Neville as Minerva clenched her jaw as if swallowing something bitter.
"I think you grandmother ought to start looking out for the grandson she has got and not the one she thinks she ought to have—especially after your little show at the ministry," smiled Minerva faintly as Neville looked up his eyes were sparkling—professor McGonagall had never before paid him a compliment.
"Take Charms Longbottom—I'll drop a line to your grandmother and tell her that just because she failed her Charms OWLS doesn't mean you mustn't pursue it," stated Minerva simply as Neville beamed at her and agreed as he signed on her register sheet and then was handed his schedule.
Harry was next who seemed to be pleased seeing he got the subjects he needed in his quest to become an auror seeing Slughorn thankfully accepted 'E' students in his class—although he didn't have a text book which professor McGonagall said the school would provide for till he got a chance to buy one, Harry was pleased as he saw Slughorn walk into the hall as he beamed at the potbellied man who came and sat down on a chair in between Snape and Minerva.
Audrey was next and she was last, she waited to be called and when she was—she walked gracefully and placed herself in front of her grandmother as she refused to acknowledge Slughorn's presence just like her father who seemed to be rather bored listening to Goyle go on and on about something called a coin collector job in Gringotts that Severus had no idea about—Goyle was so thick skulled that he didn't even notice Snape yawn in annoyance as he shifted his head that was dangling carelessly on his hand to sit back and listen to Goyle's non-stop babbling, Audrey tried to hide her smile under her hand as she faked a cough and then smiled to herself. She noticed her father look at her as he raised his eyebrows exasperatedly and then roll his eyes and shake his head as Goyle still went on.
"Right—mark sheet," stated Minerva as Audrey gave her the mark sheet as her grandmother surveyed it Audrey's eyes dared to linger over to her father as she noticed Goyle finally get up seemingly unsatisfied and angry as he was given the same option as Crabbe, Draco took his place as he patted Goyle on the shoulders. Audrey saw her father look at her and mouth 'kill me'
"Attention here!" snapped Minerva as Audrey jumped in her seat as she noticed her grandmother looking at her mark sheet—Audrey made sure she sat still and didn't look here and there although professor Slughorn seemed rather interested in her marks as he tried to peer into what Minerva was studying so intently.
"Right—so what should I write as career choice?" asked Minerva lifting her quill.
"Spinner," said Audrey simply as Minerva did not write it.
"Three subjects of your choice?"
"Defence, Transfiguration and Potions," said Audrey simply as she saw her grandmother grin to herself when Audrey said transfiguration.
"Most impressive—all 'O's and I see a highest in Transfiguration and Potions—I would be most delighted to teach you Ms. Snape," said Slughorn smirking as Audrey gave him a small smile and nodded showing her gratefulness.
"You're certain you want to be a spinner?" asked Slughorn as Minerva frowned at him.
"Yes," said Audrey definitely as Slughorn nodded.
"And do you have a master?" asked Slughorn as Audrey thought of this.
"You know you need a trained spinner to teach you spinning," said Slughorn.
"My mother is a spinner—and so is my great uncle—I presume one of them can take off a little time for me," snapped Audrey as Slughorn nodded.
"Oh yes—you do have a family history of spinners—I think your father is one as well—you could learn from him," said Slughorn nonchalantly, as Audrey frowned, what was his problem?—Why was he so up on getting her father and her on a plateau?
"I do not wish to learn anything from my 'father' as you put it!" snarled Audrey angrily as she almost got up from her seat.
"Ms. Snape!" scolded Minerva as Audrey blushed crimson.
"Sorry!" she snapped brusquely at Slughorn who waved it away smiling at her jovially.
"Right—get to your class—your other subjects are Charms, Herbology and Arithmancy" said Minerva sternly as Audrey picked up her bag and almost snatched the schedule from Minerva her first class was Charms and it began in fifteen minutes.
"Wait!" scolded Minerva as she picked up the small black box from her bag and opened it in front of Audrey, it held the Gryffindor captain badge—it was simple calligraphic 'C' with the Gryffindor lion symbol dangling below it.
"I suggest you put it on—or it would be considered breach of uniform!" said Minerva sternly as Audrey did what she was told and then stalked off as fast as she could—she wanted to get away from Slughorn and his meddlesome ways.
Classes began properly after lunch for the sixth years, Audrey ate lunch with Hermione, Harry and Ron as they discussed their schedules—they thankfully had several classes together—especially Ron, Harry and Audrey seeing they had Potions, Charms, Defence and Transfiguration together while Hermione had those with a few others.
"We have potions next with the Slytherines," said Ron his mouth full of food.
"Lovely," said Audrey sarcastically as she noticed Draco look her creepily again as he looked away when she saw him.
Everyone was told to pick station partners as Audrey choose to partner up with Harry, Hermione and Ron, Harry on her side while Ron and Hermione who teamed up would be on the table on the opposite side.
"Professor—Ron and I don't have text books—professor McGonagall said we could borrow from the school stock," said Harry going up to Slughorn as he smiled and gave them permission to pick their books from the store cupboard in the end of the class room. Harry pulled open the cupboard door as he saw the two textbooks one was rather old and dusty and the other one was new—they scrambled for the new one but Ron got his hands on it first as he chuckled evilly while Harry picked up the old book and hit Ron on the head with it as Ron still laughed about it.
"What happened?" asked Audrey amused.
"Nothing—he took the better book," said Harry shrugging as Audrey rolled her eyes at his childish behaviour.
"You could use mine you know," said Audrey as Harry shook his head and opened the old book slowly. The first page read 'Property of the Half Blood Prince,'
"Who's the half blood prince?"Wondered Harry aloud as Audrey looked at the book.
"I've heard that name before in one of the potions books," said Audrey frowning.
"Maybe this person grew up to be an author," said Harry shrugging as Audrey shook her head—No, that wasn't it!
"Alright—now I have prepared some concoctions can anyone tell me what they are—yes Ms.?" asked Slughorn as Hermione's hand shot into the air as fast as it could.
"Granger sir," said Hermione walking forward to grab a look at the potions.
"This one is not complete sir—but I believe it is a half done dittany—very useful to cure splinches if apparition or flooing is gone wrong."
"This one is Amoretini it is a very powerful potion—smells different to different people—for example I smell—freshly dewed grass, parchment and peppermint toothpaste—" said Hermione who seemed rather flustered by her answer as if she just realised something—Lavender and her other friend had come up to stand next to Hermione as well—as if the potion had beckoned them there. Slughorn instantly placed a lid on the potion shutting its temptress wafts away safely.
"Very good, Ms. Granger—take five points for Gryffindor," smiled Slughorn happily as the Slytherines glared at Granger, Pansy who had just recovered from her bout of love potion wafts looked curious at a small closed vial of clear golden liquid that sat regally above the rest.
"Sir, you haven't told us about this one!" said Pansy her curiosity peeking.
"Ah—yes—this one is a very unique potion—dangerous if used unnecessarily—but absolutely delightfully useful when needed," said Slughorn picking up the small vial.
"Anyone guess what it is?" asked Slughorn showing the vial to the class, no one knew what it was except well—Audrey—she had read about it—after all it was Potions—she was the topper.
"Felix Filicius," she said as Slughorn who seemed to be pleased that no one knew beamed even more when he heard her voice.
"And what does the Felix Filicius do Ms. Snape?" asked Slughorn testing her aptitude.
"The potion is commonly termed as liquid luck—when consumed gives the individual the power to make things go their way," said Audrey confidently as Slughorn beamed.
"Excellent Mr. Snape—ten points to Slytherine!" he shouted happily as his smile fell, the class went silent.
"Oh dear—I apologize—I believe old habits die hard—," smiled Slughorn as a few Slytherines sniggered, Slughorn obviously wasn't aware of the animosity between Snape and his daughter.
"Tell you what—I'll give this vial as a reward to anyone who will make the perfect draught of the living dead—whose recipe you'll find on page five, you have one hour—begin," said Slughorn turning over a hour glass as everyone shuffled back to their stations as pulled open their books setting up there cauldrons and pushed out ingredients. Harry opened his book and frowned—the text in the book was old but visible although the previous owner had made several cancellations and scribbles around messing with the recipe.
"1 jumping Fita pod
25ml of salamander blood
5 finely diced dry Siestade roots
4 ml of water
Method:
Cut jumping Fita pod (Crush do not cut!) and pour it into the cauldron with 4ml (9ml) of (boiling) simmering water. Add 15ml (add 10ml) of salamander blood and stir 5 times clockwise and 15 times anticlockwise (stir only anticlockwise 12 times as fast as possible—make a whirlwind in the potion and add siesta de roots and remaining Salamder blood and water—stir while adding—let potion boil and then turn off heat—cover for five seconds and check for dark black colour). Harry smirked as he read the things in the brackets seeing that he couldn't read anything but that in certain places—well this half blood prince seemed to know what he was doing and so Harry set to work, surprised that he was the first one to crush the pod seeing it slipped out of everyone elses hands.
"What are you doing?" asked Hermione annoyed as the pod slipped away for the fifteenth time.
"Trust me crush it—it's easier," said Harry as Hermione frowned.
"No—the book clearly says to cut!" said Hermione annoyed as Audrey listened in, she noticed Harry shrug as he followed the recipe, she followed his first instruction and finally got the pod to excrete its juice. Harry was way ahead of her, a frown framed her face—since when the hell did Harry get so good in potions—must be that book!
Whatever the book said Harry did and whatever Harry did was surprising accurate—so accurate that he finished the draught in hardly half an hour.
"Done sir," he said raising his hand as Audrey just finished stirring after adding the last bits of salamander blood—even Hermione was as surprised—seeing her hair was all over the place. Audrey noticed her hair had gone damp as well seeing it was a rather hot afternoon. Forget Hermione everyone in class seemed to be just as shocked on noticing Harry raise his hand first—the look on Malfoy's face was priceless.
"Well—I—let's see shall we?" asked Slughorn as he came smiling and jiggling his stomach.
"Let's test it shall we!" smiled Slughorn as he lightly placed a flower petal into Harry's cauldron as the petal burnt away as if reacting of acid.
"Merlin's beard—it is perfect!" said Slughorn boggled as he was so happy that one of ex-student's son was as brilliant as her.
Slughorn was so pleased that after class ended he called Harry out and proudly handed him the vial but asked him to use it well. Harry seemed to be pleased—he hadn't ever been praised in potions class—he seemed to be enjoying it thoroughly.
The four friends seemed to have finally gotten some time to sit down and talk during dinner but that too was stolen away by Cormac coming to pester Audrey about something in transfiguration—thinking he could win her affections this way and then by a furious professor McGonagall calling her to the head table.
"Ms. Snape, Where is your quidditch schedule?—you haven't decided when to hold the trials—I am having a terrible feeling that you are not up to this—,"said Minerva shaking her head as Audrey wanted to snap at her—of coarse she wasn't—she didn't want to be captain in the first place!
"Sorry professor—have been busy with my classes," she said making up an excuse.
"I find that abysmal Ms. Snape—I mean there have been sixth year captains before you—none of them with this excuse!" she said sternly as Audrey bit her lower lip as tightly as she could.
"I would like you to hand that schedule in by tomorrow morning to Madam Hooch—do I make myself clear?" asked Minerva as Audrey sighed and shook her head.
"Good—and please stop telling Mr. McLaggen that you will be impressed if he can turn himself into a tea cosy and back—I am worried he might set himself on fire if he keeps moving his wand that way," said Minerva looking at Cormac who was waving his wand all over his body—this time actually setting his robes on fire.
"Imbecile!" sneered Audrey as Slughorn jumped in his seat.
"Really, I am particularly glad I he didn't get an 'E' in transfiguration," said Minerva pitifully.
"Professor McGonagall—Mr. Malfoy wishes to speak with you," said a silky voice from behind Audrey as she turned to see her father standing behind her with Draco besides him—Malfoy was throwing her glares telling her that her presence was detested.
"Mr. Malfoy must we drag your head of the house into this matter?" groaned Minerva as Slughorn seemed to have suddenly asked Audrey to wait back, he wanted to know about the response to the letter he had handed her.
"Why won't you just take me in your class—I have an 'E' what else do you want?" snarled Malfoy.
"An 'E' with the graces of the governors Mr. Malfoy not on merit bases—you should consider yourself lucky that I am even contemplating on this decision!" snapped Minerva her temper rising as Malfoy threw her a bad look.
"So I suppose it is useless to talk to you about this isn't it!" snarled Malfoy as he threw a look at Snape who rolled his eyes and looked at Minerva who looked as defiant as she could possibly.
"What must he do to get in your class Minerva?" sighed Severus in finality.
"Well, I believe he will need extra attention, at least an hour of transfiguration every two days is most crucial—attention that I cannot singly give away to you!" snapped Minerva.
"So perhaps, would you be willing to accept him, if he gets himself a tutor," asked Severus in an obvious tone.
"Only if I approve of this tutor," said Minerva a small smirk on her lips, Audrey could feel a very similar grin on her own face even though she was pretending to listen to Slughorn.
"Fine Astoria can teach me!" snapped Malfoy confidently as Minerva shook her head.
"I don't think so—Ms. Greengrass has grades that are theoretically good—her practical skills are not that impressive," said Minerva.
"And what if this said tutor was the topper in your class," said Severus snarkily as Minerva frowned.
"I doubt Ms. Granger would agree Professor Snape," said Minerva—what was wrong with him—why would he even think that Hermione?
"Ms. Snape, would you care enough to tutor Mr. Malfoy in transfiguration?" asked Snape, Audrey whipped her head around to see, she wasn't going to let him know she was listening in.
"What?" asked Audrey curiously.
"Stop pretending—I know you heard everything!" sneered Malfoy
"Whatever—Malfoy—I don't have time for you right now," she snapped, this was too much fun—of coarse she wasn't going to tutor him—but that didn't mean she wouldn't make him beg.
"I shall see what I can do professor—I'll get you your answer by Halloween," smiled Audrey at Slughorn who nodded happily dismissing her as he returned to his pineapple surprise.
"Fine—Sna—Audrey—wait—look listen!" stopped Malfoy worried as Audrey turned around an eyebrow in the air as she looked at him.
"I don't remember giving you permission to say my name Malfoy!" sneered Audrey loathfully as Malfoy frowned.
"Fine—I need you to tutor me in transfiguration!" ordered Malfoy as Audrey scoffed.
"Your ordering me to do something isn't going to persuade me!"
Draco looked a little stunned, for someone who got everything he wanted, he realised—his parents had never taught him to work for something he needed—just bought it for him—they did not teach him to beg—he did not know how to do it—but getting into transfiguration was important—he did not have any other subject he could apply for seeing he wanted to be a travel morpher—a vocation that called for charmologist and transfigurers from all over the world to work under one company but travel all over the world using their skills—his mother was one once.
"Fine-who much will you charge?" asked Draco pulling out a bag of galleons from his robe pocket, Audrey stood up straight a look of pure resentment crossed her face.
"Do you not understand—I don't want to teach you—people who think knowledge can be bought with a few clinking coins do not deserved to be educated—you will be literate but that is all you will ever be—true education is not bought—it is earned!" she knew she sounded philosophical—but she was angry—he had just tried to buy her time—she wasn't that sort of girl who you could pay per hour, she would slap those coins right in his face if his arrogance had placed the coins in her hand. What did he think she was a common prostitute?
"Please excuse me," she said still angry she turned around.
"And what if I told you that you would get credit marks in the subject for tutoring him," said Snape in his baritone voice. If Audrey was anything like him, she would consider—however much a Gryffindor she was—she was still his daughter—she was still an intelligent girl who thought with her head—instead of those stupid Gryffindors who listened to their wild hearts.
"You can keep your marks—stuff his face with them—maybe he can pay for some of those too!" snapped Audrey angry glaring at her father—how dare he suggest that she even apply for this, she was angry at him. Maybe Severus had been wrong.
"Are you certain that you don't wish to do this?" asked Minerva from the back.
"Positive," snapped Audrey daringly as Malfoy looked a little baffled as Severus sighed. Slughorn took in the situation quickly and decided to push his belly through into their conversation.
"Now—now come Ms. Snape—help the boy out—I am sure he will be most grateful to you," said Slughorn smiling at Audrey trying to win her over, she frowned—she looked over at Malfoy and tried to decided whether she should consider.
"Screw it—I don't help from a filthy half blood like her!" snapped Draco angrily—Audrey stood still the hands below her chest felt a little limp—not because he called her that—but because she saw tears lining his eyes threatening to fall out. Was this so important to him?
"Fine—I will," she said as softly as she could manage as Draco passed her, she herself could not believe she had just said that but, he had heard it—that was why he had stopped , his mouth was slightly open as he sniffed silently in shock of the situation—she had agreed—he could now pursue his dream.
"Meet me tomorrow in the transfiguration class room during lunch—12 o'clock—don't be late!" she snapped as she walked forward, her eyes looking at the Gryffindor table where Harry was looking at the whole situation with a little worry as Ron was glaring at Malfoy.
"Another thing!" she turned quickly as she caught Draco smiling at Snape.
"No one must know!" she said as stiffly pointing her finger at him, making Slughorn blink in surprise—as he turned to look at Snape, who raised his head a little more. Draco nodded as Audrey turned around and left.
Horace Slughorn however had seen how much Severus Snape and Audrey Snape resembled each other in mannerism and in looks—how could they possibly have any dislike for each other—he was going to help them through this he vowed.
"What happened?" asked Hermione worriedly as Audrey still had a frown on her face.
"Nothing—stupid Malfoy!" she said
"Want me to beat him up for you?" asked Harry amused as Audrey threw him a faint smile, she tried to immerse herself into dinner—she knew—this was going to be the most regrettable decision she was ever going to make. Audrey noticed Hermione looking at her as Audrey gulped and mouthed 'later' to her—hoping—actually she knew Hermione would understand—thank Merlin it wasn't just her and the boys—sometimes—you just needed another girl in your friend circle—or else—you were going to be a terrible mess—it was true and Audrey was definitely going to get Hermione something nice for her birthday this year.
AN/- ok...mini game time: you can save author from evil writers block by reviewing-and collecting as many imaginary cake slices as you can-hurry-click on the blue button below-anonymous reviewers are welcome =)