I had received a letter from Professor Dumbledore a week before term resumed, announcing my appointment of Head Girl. I can't say I was shocked; Professor McGonagall's mind had been awfully loud when bidding me farewell at the end of 6th year. "Goodbye, Miss Goldstein, have a wonderful break." She smiled wider than I had ever seen. "You're going to make a wonderful Head Girl." She added. It took great strength not to react with anything other than the appropriate, "Thank you, Professor. You too." I was excited, yes; but incredibly nervous.
The first day back is always the hardest. Everyone chatting loudly about their summer break, while their minds are practically screaming, waiting to share their next story. I do enjoy it, though; it's great fun hearing overexaggerated stories, when they actually did nothing even remotely exciting.
I heard Dumbledore begin his usual, beginning of the year, speech. I often don't listen, but tonight his announcements piqued my curiosity. A new teacher, Professor Slughorn, Potions; he looks a bit slimy. Professor Snape is now teaching Defence against the Dark Arts; he seems uncomfortable with the attention on him, poor guy. And Voldemort is back; shocker. A lot is going to change this year; it feels dark and heavy. Worse, even, than when Sirius Black escaped from Azkaban and the Dementors literally sucked the happiness from the air around us.
I stopped listening when Draco caught my eye. Merlin, he looks so tired. I couldn't hear him clearly over the buzzing minds of the Great Hall, but I could feel him. A powerful, overwhelming sense of anxiety and dread was radiating from him. Although he was a year below me, we had quite a good friendship. Only in private, though; I was a half-blood, after all.
When he glanced at me, I smiled softly. His response was a clenched jaw and a slightly raised eyebrow. As close to a "hello" that I would get from him in a crowded room. I managed to catch a glimpse of his thoughts: "This is going to be a long year." I frowned slightly, knowing I needed to pay close attention to him this year.
My thoughts were interrupted when I heard my name being announced by Dumbledore. "And now, for our Head Girl. Please join me in congratulating Miss Hazel Goldstein, Slytherin." The hall erupted into applause and cheers, mainly from Slytherin, of course. Dumbledore gestured for me to join him on stage, much to my chagrin. As I made my way up, I briefly locked eyes with Professor Snape. He applauded me along with the rest of the school, but with a smirk. He was feeling proud; it sent a chill down my spine. I smiled back at him and bowed slightly, blushing.
I stood beside the Head Boy, Augustus Bagshaw, Ravenclaw. We have a few classes together; he is quite vile, and he frequently confesses his desire to take me out on a date. I do my best to let him down easily, but his mind is consumed with images of me in highly undignified positions. It makes me uncomfortable, but we were 17, after all, and I often see similar images from just about every student in the school.
"Congratulations, Hazel. I guess we'll be spending more time together this year." He smirked. "hopefully in more ways than one." I shuddered, not at his insatiable thoughts, but at his hand on the small of my back. It took everything in me not to roll my eyes. I took a small step to the side, so I was just out of reach.
As Head Girl, I unfortunately had the responsibility of escorting the first years down to their dormitories. However, this did mean I was able to leave the Great Hall ahead of everyone else. I often slip away from dinner early to try to get to sleep before everyone returns. Minds are the loudest when trying to fall asleep.
As I was leading the hoard of 11-year-olds down to the dungeons, listening to their excited minds and their loud chatter, I felt someone fall into stride beside me. I knew in an instant who it was. "Congratulations, Miss Goldstein." I blushed, feeling his pride stronger now that he was closer. "Thank you, Professor Snape." I glanced at him and caught another smirk. "Are you quite pleased to have one of your Slytherins be appointed Head Girl?" He kept his gaze ahead of him. "I wouldn't expect anything less from one of my Slytherins." I couldn't suppress my giggle. I could feel him pleased with my response, and I blushed again. How odd.
When we reached the Slytherin common room, the first years gathered around me, Snape still by my side, looking less than impressed. I smiled at them all; I'll never forget the giddiness. "Girls are to the left of the passage up these stairs, and boys are to the right." I pointed behind me, and their eyes followed; they were practically buzzing now. "So close to the girls!" I heard one boy yell in his mind. "Oh, and I must warn you, the dormitories are warded. Don't attempt to enter the girl's dormitory unless you are a girl. Same goes for the boy's dormitory." I looked directly at the boy I heard. "If you try, Madam Pomfrey will be your only saving grace." He turned pale. "Sleep well, everyone!"
As the rumbling of their footsteps faded away, Snape and I were left alone. He was facing the fire, which burned brightly next to us, only providing a slight temperature increase in the freezing dungeons. "That was quite impressive." I shivered; that was his second compliment in less than ten minutes. "What was, sir?" He turned away from the fire to face me. "Your threat of physical harm. Usually, it is I who is making such threats." He smirked. I managed to suppress my giggle this time, but I couldn't hide my grin. "Well, it wasn't a lie. Plus, I learnt from the best, Professor." The lightest snort came from his nose, so light I thought I might have imagined it. Did I just make Professor Snape laugh?
"As Head Girl, you will assist me some evenings for my rounds." I tilted my head in surprise. "Really?" He cocked an eyebrow. "It is not simply a shiny badge, Miss Goldstein." I chuckled. "I know, sir. I was merely surprised at being allowed out after curfew." He pressed his lips into a thin line, but I could tell he was suppressing a smirk.
What is happening? A laugh and a few smirks from the infamous dungeon bat? I must be dreaming.
"In addition to your duties as Head Girl, you will also be given a private room. If you'll follow me, please." I gasped, not able to hide the happiness and relief. "Professor Dumbledore didn't tell me I would get my own room!" He began to lead me through a passage on the lower level, towards the back of the common room. There were no lanterns lit, so it was incredibly dark. "I haven't noticed this – " I was cut off when I crashed into his chest; I hadn't seen him stop walking. Merlin, his chest was firm.
"Oh, gosh. Sorry Professor, it's dark down here!" I stuttered. Just when I thought I was getting on his good side! He placed his hands on my shoulders to steady me, lingering for the slightest of moments before dropping them. I braced myself for a scolding but noticed he didn't feel as enraged as I expected. If anything, he felt amused. My cheeks flushed.
He flicked his wand, and two lanterns on either side of a large black door lit up. I looked up at him; we were still very close to each other. "The passage only appears when a student of the house is elected Head Girl or Boy." I could feel his hot breath on my face as I watched his eyes travel to my cheeks, which were now burning. "Hot, are you?" he smirked. Did he just call me hot? I brought my hands to my cheeks, which didn't help as they too were red hot. When did my hands start to sweat? It's freezing down here. "No, sir. Simply flustered, as I'm sure you can imagine." My voice shook slightly, causing him to let out another breathy snort.
I took a step back, trying desperately to regain my composure. Not being able to hear someone's thoughts in moments like this was almost more draining than hearing everything they think. I brushed my clammy hands on my skirt and straightened myself up. I looked up at him, noticing he had not taken his eyes off me since we collided. His eyes matched his robes and hair, completely black. He seemed to feel confused, even conflicted. I gathered he didn't often allow students to be in his presence for this long without insulting them at least once.
I cleared my throat. "I presume this is my room?" I looked at the door behind him. With one more sweeping glance over my face, he took a step back to face the door. "It is; however, you have to set a password." I looked between him and the door a few times. "Right now?" He turned to look at me again. How was I supposed to come up with something on the spot with him staring at me? "I must set it for you, so yes, right now." I felt my stomach flutter lightly. Although his words were mocking, he still didn't seem bothered by our prolonged encounter.
I turned back to the door, hoping not looking at him would help clear my mind. I could feel him staring at me still; my mind was racing. "I can't think with you burning holes into the side of my face," I turned my head to glance at him, "sir." With nothing more than a raised eyebrow, he turned to face the door.
Still nothing. He hasn't insulted me once, nor has he been even remotely rude. I wonder if I should test the waters. Perhaps not tonight, though. I'd like to keep my head safely on my shoulders.
"Hmm." I hummed. "How about… Queenie?" I kept my focus on the door. "Your grandmother's name?" My jaw dropped. "You know my grandmother?" I turned to face him completely. "Not personally, no. Professor Dumbledore has mentioned her name a number of times." I began to panic. What if Dumbledore told Snape that she was a Legilimens? Would he know that I was one too?
I sensed his mood shift to slight concern. "Miss Goldstein?" I realised I was still staring at him with my mouth agape. I snapped my jaw shut. "Sorry, Professor. I'm not used to anyone here knowing my family." He was facing me now, too. "She is a powerful witch, I have heard." I nodded. I miss her. "She is." I paused, panic still ebbing through my veins. "No one in the school knows who my family is, sir, and I –" He cut me off. "I have no intention of revealing your private life, Miss Goldstein." His response was curt, but he felt understanding. "Thank you, sir."
"Would you like to set your password as Queenie?" I nodded. "Yes, please." He mumbled a charm I had never heard before, and the door swung open.
I felt my breath get sucked out of my lungs at the sight. The room was large, dark, and beautiful. It was as big as a regular dormitory, but without the four additional beds, it seemed huge. The dark mahogany floor seamlessly flowed into the black stone walls. The king-size, four-poster bed, adorned with the deepest forest green satin bedspread, sat to the left of us. Along the same wall was a door, which I assumed led to the bathroom. A large black wardrobe sat on the adjacent wall, certainly big enough for me alone. To our right was a fireplace, surrounded by two emerald velvet armchairs, a matching loveseat, and a green and black Moroccan rug to tie it all together.
What truly took my breath away, though, was the large, floor-to-ceiling window in the middle of the wall opposite the entrance. "Wow" was all I managed to breathe out as I walked to stand in front of it. The light from the moon through the Black Lake caused caustic light to ripple around the dark room. It was beautiful.
"Sometimes you will see Merpeople swim by, and if you're lucky, you might catch a glimpse of the Giant Squid." I jumped. I had almost forgotten I was not alone. "My uncle will lose his mind when I tell him I have this view." I glanced at him briefly, smiling, and took a step closer to the window. "Newt Scamander, correct?" I nodded, and he stepped beside me again. "You have quite an impressive family, Miss Goldstein." I couldn't get enough of hearing him compliment me. "I know."
A few silent moments passed as we stood watching the rippling lake. We were standing close enough to feel each other's body heat. I became aware that we had been alone in my private quarters for quite some time. I could feel him becoming comfortable, and I could tell it made him apprehensive. I cleared my throat. "Thank you for showing me to my new dorm, Professor." I turned to face him. "I really appreciate it." I smiled softly. He paused for a moment, and I felt a small wave of guilt wash over him. "Of course, I apologise for keeping you." He turned on his heel and headed for the door, and I followed.
Did Professor Snape just apologise to me? A student?
"No apologies necessary, Professor." I held the door for him, and he seemed even more conflicted now. I was getting confused. "Good night, Miss Goldstein." He drawled, nodding slightly. Again, his façade is a heavy contrast to his emotions. "Good night, Professor Snape." I smiled, shutting the door gently. I could still feel him on the other side of the door, and for the first time, I heard his mind loud and clear.
"Sleep well."