Year One - Chapter 11
Eileen Snape.
Your detention will be held in the library, today at 11 a.m. The librarian will explain to you what to do.
Minerva McGonagall.
—But the Quidditch match is at that hour! -I said as I reread the note that arrived at breakfast. Why didn't she just give me detention with Fred yesterday? Why does it have to be today?
—What's wrong, Eileen?
—Nothing, Neville, I'll just have detention during the first game of Quidditch. I can't believe I'm so unlucky, I'll explode if something else happens to me.
I was still mad at Harry and Ron for what they said last night, so when I walked into the Great Hall and saw them sitting together with Hermione, I had no choice but to sit away from them, with Neville. After rereading the note one last time, I crumpled the letter and turned it into a ball, then I tossed it on the table.
—One point from Gryffindor for littering, Eileen. —I turned around and saw my father standing behind me. Merlin, just take me now!
—You've got to be kidding me! —This caught the attention of everyone in the hall because I was almost screaming, suddenly everything was quiet and I could feel their gaze on me.
—And another 5 points for yelling at me.
He left and I could see how he limped a bit when he walked as if he was hurt... Oh no, I didn't really thought about what Harry told us last night, especially since I didn't want to believe it was true, but... What if he actually went to see the dog and was bitten? What if everything had gone awful? Well... Even more awful than it already was?
I got up and left my breakfast half-eaten, I walked past Hermione and Harry, ignoring them when they tried to get my attention; when I walked through the doors of the hall, I could see my father, heading to the dungeons, so I hurried my step to get to his side.
—Dad...
—Was it not enough for you to lose 6 points already? Do you want detention?
—No thanks, I already have one anyway...
—What
-No, nothing... Anyway, I came because... Well... —He stopped walking and turned to see me, with a frown on his face.— When you left the hall I saw that you were walking strangely and I wanted to know if you were okay.
Obviously, I wasn't going to tell him that I knew about the dog, or what Harry had told me, but I was still very worried.
—Why do you ask?
—Um, I just told you, I saw you walking strangely.
—It's nothing you should be concerned about.
—But...
—Evan! —If it wasn't bad that he called me by my second name, he spoke in that strange way where even though it didn't sound like more than a whisper, it felt like he was yelling at you at the top of his lungs.
—Fine! Merlin, I'm sorry to worry about my father, maybe next time I won't care if that dog bites you-
Uh-oh.
—What!? —He grabbed me by my arm hard, so hard that it even started to hurt. —How did you know about that!?
—Dad... You're hurting me...
—And you could get hurt if you keep going to where you shouldn't! Worse still, you could die!
—I haven't gone anywhere! I just...I've only heard rumours... Dad, please, my arm is really hurting.
He finally released me and I started to rub my arm, I wouldn't be surprised if a bruise appears later.
—What have you heard about it? From whom?
—Nobody, nothing important... —I turned and started walking towards the library.
—Eileen, come back here.
—I have a detention to go, bye.
I knew that I would most likely get into a lot of trouble, I would probably be grounded until my last day at Hogwarts, but it bothered me that he thought I had gone to the third floor just to see what was there! Does he think I'm an idiot?
Although... I've given him a reason to think that, haven't I? After what happened with the troll... The worst part is that I didn't even went looking for the troll, but he still doesn't care... Well, then I won't care anymore if I keep getting in trouble, I always end up with detention anyway even if I don't do something.
On my way to the library, I saw everyone going to the Quidditch pitch; I was starting to really like it because Fred and I would often go flying on our free times and we would pretend to play a little, it was more fun than when I played with Draco, besides, even though I'm upset with Harry, it's his first game and I wanted to go support him.
I walked into the library and Madam Pince glared at me with such hatred, maybe because she thought she would finally have a student-free day in the library since everyone will be at the game.
—Professor McGonagall told me that you would give me my detention.
—So, you're Professor Snape's daughter. We expected better things from you.
—Everyone expects better things from me. Glad to know that I can add another name to the list of people disappointed in me.
—You're completely insolent like...
—Like...?
—Nothing, girl, now take this duster and start cleaning the bookshelves. Without magic. Give me your wand.
With a deep sigh, I took my wand out of a pocket of my robe and laid it on her desk; I took the duster and as I did so I hit a glass full of water that rolled until it crashed on the floor. I have no doubts, I am the most unlucky person in the world.
I bent down to pick up the pieces of glass and as I did so I cut myself with one on my left hand; it wasn't a big cut, but it was bleeding and it burned a little.
Madam Pince got up from her chair and with her wand managed to bring the pieces of glass back together in their glass shape.
—Couldn't you do that before I cut myself?
—Go to the infirmary to get that cleaned, I don't want you to go around leaving blood all over the books, when you're done with that, come back here. Your wand will stay here, to ensure that you do return.
I left the library and made a beeline to the infirmary, putting pressure with my right hand on the cut, it seems that it had been bigger than I thought and it was burning more and more. The infirmary was completely empty, except for a boy sleeping in one of the beds closest to the door; when Madam Pomfrey saw me come in, she quickly got up from her desk and started walking towards me.
—Miss Snape, are you okay? What happened to you?
—I'm fine, I just cut myself with a piece of glass. —I removed my hand from the cut so she could see it.
—Ah, yes, nothing to worry about. —She pulled out her wand and pointed it at the cut.— Episkey.
My hand began to feel very hot and then very cold, but I could see how the cut began to disappear, leaving a small white line on my hand and only the blood remained on my hands.
—Tergeo. —Well, there was no blood now.— Be more careful next time, Miss Snape.
—I will. Thank you.
I left the infirmary and was really tempted to just go watch the game, but instead, I headed for the library again, I couldn't leave my wand there forever. After what seemed like hours (although I think it was only one) Madam Pince finally let me out and I walked to the Quidditch pitch, hoping it wasn't over yet.
On the way I ran into Harry, Ron and Hermione who were talking to Hagrid, when Ron and Harry saw me they seemed to be annoyed with me, Hermione just seemed confused. What did I do wrong now?
—Hi, Eileen.
—Hello, Hagrid.
—Why were yeh comin' from the castle? Weren't yeh at the match?
—No, I was in the library. Detention.
—O' course yeh were.
He chuckled and said goodbye to me, Harry went after him and Ron did the same, hitting my shoulder with his on purpose.
—What's wrong with them? Did we lose?
—No, we won...
—So, Mione? I would understand if they were upset about that, but I don't understand why they seem to be upset with me.
—We'll talk later, Leen.
She walked behind them, in the direction of Hagrid's hut, when I saw that they all entered the hut, I silently approached and stood under an open window so I could hear what they were saying.
—...Cursing your broom, Hermione and I saw him, he kept looking at you as he muttered something.
—Rubbish, Ron! Why would Snape do somethin' like that? An' yeh're friends with Eileen, how do yeh think she would feel if she knew that her father was bein' accused of cursin' Harry's broom?
—It must be a plan of them —Ron said.— She probably just became friends with Harry so that Snape or Eileen can do something to him... She considers the Malfoys as her family, did you know? They all were followers of You-Know-Who
—Ron! I can't believe you think those things, Leen is not like that.
—Come on Hermione, you always think that all people are saints. Besides, you know how Malfoy treats you and Eileen doesn't seem to mind, or has she ever said something to him? Has she ever defended you from him?
I don't know what hurt me more, that my 'friends' think those horrible things about me or that my best friend... My ex-best friend won't try to defend me.
—We found out something else about Snape. —This time it was Harry who was talking.— He tried to pass that three-headed dog to steal whatever it's taking care of, only he couldn't because the dog bit him.
I heard the sound of some metal hitting wood.
—What do yeh know 'bout Fluffy?
—Fluffy?
—Yeah, he's mine, bought him off a Greek I met in the pub las' year, I lent it to Dumbledore to guard... Nothing, that's top secret and yeh should leave now.
—But Snape tried to steal it!
—Rubbish, Snape's a Hogwarts teacher, he won't do something like that.
—So why did he try to kill Harry!?
I began to feel the tears run down my cheeks, I didn't expect that, I didn't expect Hermione to really think that my father would try to kill someone, much less a student.
I got up from the ground (I hadn't even realized that I was sitting) and started running towards the castle, I didn't care if they heard me, I just wanted to get as far away from them as possible and went in the direction of the first place that came to mind. A place that I knew would be completely alone.
I entered the potions classroom carefully, checking that my father wasn't inside and I sat down on one of the chairs, I was surprised that the door was unlocked, but I didn't give it much thought. I put my arms on the table, leaned my head on them and let the tears fall on the table.
It didn't take long when I heard a door open, it sounded more distant than the door I just entered through, so it must have been one at the back of the room. Maybe one that connected the room with my father's office? I never heard the door close, but I did hear footsteps approaching me and then I felt like a hand rested on my back.
—Are you all right?
It was my father; I shook my head slowly; I didn't want to say something because he would realize that I'm crying.
—Do you want to talk about it? —I shook my head again and let out a sob. How can I explain to my father that my 'friends' thought he would try to kill someone?
He kept his hand on my back for a long time, making small circles on my back, he knew that always made me feel calm. When I managed to relax a bit and stop crying I raised my head a little but not enough because even if I wasn't crying anymore my eyes were probably still red and he would notice it. Although he probably already knew that I was crying.
—Dad...
—Yes?
—Would you try to hurt someone?
—Only if they are trying to hurt you.
A small smile appeared on my face and I got up to hug him.
—Eileen did someone do something to you?
—No... Well... They said some awful things... —My face was pressed against his clothes so my voice sounded a bit muffled.
—Ah, I assume it was Potter, Weasley and Granger?
—How did you know?
—Well, you weren't with them for breakfast, so I assumed you had a fight with them. Come.
He put his hand on my shoulder and led me to a door at the back of the room, where I assumed he had come from and I was right, it was connected to his office; I sat on the chair in front of his desk and he gave me a cup of tea.
He sat in front of me along with another cup, although it seemed like he was drinking coffee; I appreciated that we were just having our drinks in silence, I didn't feel like explaining what had happened because I knew that I would cry again.
—Why do you leave the classroom door unlocked? Are you not worried about a student coming in and taking something?
—It's always locked with various spells when I'm not in class
—Well, today it wasn't, as you can see, I entered without any problem.
—No, I can assure you, it's closed right now. -I looked at him with confusion written all over my face.- What I mean, Eileen, is that for anyone else it is closed, but I modified the spells so that you can open the door without any problem.
—Oh... And aren't you worried I'm going to grab something from the supply closet?
—Are you thinking of taking something from there?
—Well, no.
—Then no, I'm not worried. Besides, a also put on a spell that lets me know when you walk into the classroom or my office, that's why I knew you were there.
—Wow, for a second I thought you trusted me. —I said a little sarcastically, I had no reason to take anything from there and I didn't think I would ever have to do it without him knowing, but it was fun to tease him like that from time to time.
—You know that I trust you, but I know that if you are here it is for two reasons: either you are looking for me or something happened, like today, and I highly doubt you want to be here for no reason.
We continued drinking our drinks in silence, when we finished, I left his office and went in the direction of the common room, it was already lunchtime so everyone would be in the hall but I didn't feel like eating, much less to see those three, so I just went to my room, lay down on my bed and slept the rest of the day.
