I realize in my previous upload, I said I was going to upload within 12 years. I did it! It's only been 1 and a half! Anyway, hopefully this story will get the attention it deserves again (from me). Hope you enjoy this short chapter, and I hope to upload again soon.
Several days of boredom passed as the holidays dragged by, until time collided with the 9th of January, Snapes birthday. Nobody had had any contact with him since the start of the holidays, where he supposedly isolated himself in his home in Spinners End. Hannah, of course, knew better than to think he'd just disappear for a chunk of time solely to escape company. She knew he'd be relocating frequently in accordance to the Dark Lord's current position, not necessarily out of knowledge, but out of intuition.
Later that day, during a walk to clear her mind, Hannah spotted Snape walking with Dumbledore through the hallways. She couldn't deny she felt somewhat relieved to see him, but she knew something was up, something had caused both Snape and Dumbledore to look put out. "Miss Byron!" Dumbledore said in a falsely enthusiastic tone, "So glad to see you walking about, where is Mister Pucey if I may ask?"
"In his room, Sir, he's been a bit upset ever since Ligo passed."
"Ahh yes, that news was rather upsetting for me too, however Professor Snape and I have some other news we wish to deliver to you, and you alone. Might you accompany us to my office?" Dumbledore asked, with a tone that suggested there was no other choice.
Hannah obligingly followed the two of them to Dumbledore's office. As they arrived, Dumbledore conjured an extra chair for Snape beside Hannah, as Dumbledore sat behind his desk. "It has come to my understanding, Miss Byron, that you already have extensive knowledge on the position Professor Snape is in at this particular moment." Dumbledore suggested.
"Position, Sir?" Questioned Hannah.
"You're aware that he is in fact acting spy for us and liaising with the Death Eaters." Hannah gave a quick look at Snape, to see him edge her to reply truthfully.
"Yes sir."
"Well, due to Professor Snape being in the inner circle of the death eaters, he has in fact revealed some information to me which I strongly believe you ought to know." Dumbledore gave Snape a critical look.
"It is likely," Snape reluctantly voiced, "That Susanna Leems, and a large number of other death eaters, are going to be broken out of Azkaban in the foreseeable future."
"Well that was likely to happen anyway, was it not?" Hannah questioned.
"Yes, of course, they were always going to escape one way or another, however, this concerns you greatly, Miss Byron." Snape continued.
"Why is that? I'm aware that Voldemort may want to recruit me, being related to Susanna, but they surely have no way of getting to me any time soon?"
"Of course not, but with this being your last year, you're not going to be protected here forever. There will come a time where you will have to face big decisions, there will be times where you will face great danger, and there will be times where you might have to hurt someone close to you in order to make the right decision." Dumbledore intervened. "I trust that you have the ability to make the right decisions, I certainly do. However, I'm aware that you've befriended a handful of people at this school. This information is strictly confidential, Miss Byron. Not even your closest of friends can be knowledgeable of anything that happens regarding this henceforth." Dumbledore's voice held a strictness that Hannah had never heard.
"Of course, Sir." Hannah agreed. She didn't like that fact that she wouldn't be able to tell Adrian about her decisions, but she knew she definitely had the self-control to avoid it.
"Thank you, Miss Byron, I know this isn't an easy thing to ask of anyone. If you haven't any questions you may leave." Dumbledore concluded. With that Hannah and Snape departed the office and headed back down to Snape's quarters.
Hours later Snape sat at his desk, preparing future classes, as if the previous conversation had never happened.
"Sir?" Hannah approached, Snape merely looked up from his work to hardly acknowledge her. "I'm aware it's your birthday, and I have something which I believe you may be interested in." Snape was taken back, he hadn't received anything but socks from Dumbledore for his birthday in years.
"I highly doubt there's anything I'm interested in that I don't already own." Snape retaliated.
"Actually, I don't believe anyone in Britain owns what I'm about to offer you, and I'm quite certain that it might interest you." Hannah protested.
"Go on then." Snape reluctantly agreed. Hannah pulled out a box, containing three small packets of potion ingredients. "And what are these?" Snape questioned, trying to not look intrigued.
"Potion ingredients I managed to obtain from my travels a while ago, extremely rare ingredients with unique effects." Explained Hannah, "They're native to New Zealand, highly protected." She sprawled the ingredients out over the desk. "This one here is called Synzygium Maire, it's believed to have the trait of strength. This one is called Microsorum Scandens, believed to have the trait of affection. And lastly, Raukaua, believed to have the trait of love."
"This seems like their only use it to be combined to make a love potion." Snape retorted.
"No Sir," Hannah replied calmly, "Love potions don't contain strength, therefore causing the consumer to only feel obsession without control."
"Right…"
"I strongly believe that people feel hatred because they no longer have the strength to feel compassion. They no longer have a reason to feel forgiveness and they're somewhat afraid to show empathy. My theory is that this could create, not a potion to cause love necessary, but a potion to cure hatred." Snape raised his eyebrows in response.
"That is a reasonable theory." Snape said, attempting to not seem intrigued. "I appreciate this, and I'm terrible at showing it." Snape admitted.
"It doesn't really matter if you appreciate it or not, I just knew you didn't have these ingredients."
"Right… You stole from my storage." Snape remembered. Hannah had to stop herself from laughing. Hannah let her hand touch Snape's for a moment, before heading back to her room.
Snape sat, unmoving, thinking. He couldn't deny he felt flattered that Hannah even remembered his birthday, let alone got him something, something he admitted, was better than anything else he had ever received. He momentarily smiled to himself before storing the ingredients and continuing with his work.
As always, please review, and let me know if you come across any spelling mistakes. :)