WARNING: Aftermath and implied Corporal Punishment in this chapter.

The New Princess

Hogwarts Year 1 - Part 8 - Chapter 20

A snape-ish conundrum - Part 1

Previously:

Having just been hit by Susan's Stunner, Snape had no chance to protect himself and took the full brunt of the blast, causing him to be blasted backward away from the tormented girl in front of him.

The result: The prone, stunned form of Snape was blasted off his feet and catapulted across the room to smash into the classroom's back wall, where it then promptly proceeded to descend unconscious to come to a sudden stop on the floor, leaving a few crack-like marks behind in the wall it had hit just a few seconds before.

Next, a nearby cabinet, full of potions ingredients collapsed, causing hundreds of ingredients and liquids to fall to the ground, covering Snape in a concoction of liquids and resulting in a catastrophic mess that rendered a lot of these - some very rare ingredients - useless.

Finally, the cane proceeded to roll along the table, where it had fallen when Snape got stunned by Susan's spell. It then fell off and onto the ground a second later."

After that, there was silence once more.

And now the continuation:

Aryanna awoke to a sharp painful throbbing sensation, a painful echo of her recent ordeal, radiating from a place she had hoped would never know pain again.

Groaning pitifully, the memories of the previous day's events seeped back into her consciousness. "Oh, crap! That actually happened. What was I thinking? I can't believe I thought it would be a good idea to let that man cane me," she mumbled to herself, feeling a wave of regret and self-pity.

How could her plan have backfired so spectacularly, to ignite such a fire in her backside? 'It was supposed to be a single stroke, not half a dozen! How did it escalate to this?'

'Great, the hospital wing!' she thought with a groan as she surveyed her surroundings. 'Well, I did pass out, so it's to be expected.' She generally avoided hospitals, as they reminded her too much of her time at the Dursleys, but sometimes they were unavoidable. This seemed to be one of those times.

"This day is going to suck, I just know it," she said, unknowingly echoing a phrase she had uttered years ago under similar circumstances.

"Guess I'm a slow learner," she sighed, attempting to inject humor into the situation, which only resulted in another soft cry of pain as a welt made its presence known.

'Damn, Snape hits hard! Old Principal Hardcastle has nothing on him. And old Hard Hand Hardcastle's cane left quite a few marks on me after that brawl. I wonder what I look like now?' she wondered, glancing towards her buttocks. 'My newest battle wounds must look frightful if the pain's this intense,' she mused.

Quickly finding a nearby bedside mirror, she examined herself. Her eyes were red, and her face bore the signs of recently shed tears. 'I guess I'm lucky I haven't started using makeup yet.' Ensuring the privacy shield was in place, she partially uncovered her back, wincing at the pain of her movements, and cringed at what she saw. Six deep, puffy lines - some already purple - were visible.

"Damn, I look dreadful! These will take ages to heal. And here I thought I was past all of this," she mused sorrowfully.

"I thought I'd outgrown being this reckless," she muttered to herself, gingerly moving a hand downwards towards her freshly welted buttocks. A spark of fresh pain, a wince, and a hasty withdrawal of her hand a second later, quickly convinced her that inspecting the damage, at least at that moment, was not the best idea. Slowly, careful not to touch her welts any more than necessary, she covered herself up again.

Suddenly, she heard the sound of someone moving on the other side of the privacy shields.

'Probably the nurse. What was her name again?' Aryanna wondered, trying to recall her name.

'Ah yes, Poppy Pomfrey.'

She remembered now. Poppy Pomfrey was a small, stout woman well-known for her stern yet loving nature. More importantly, she was the school nurse in charge of the hospital wing—which meant she was currently the one who would decide how painful the next few hours of Aryanna's life would be. 'Better stay on her good side,' she thought, grateful to have recalled the name in time. Knowing someone's name always helped.

Pomfrey must have heard or sensed her, as the resident mediwitch chose that moment to glance toward Aryanna's location. Walking over to Aryanna's bed, she moved aside the privacy curtain and smiled the moment she noticed her patient was awake.

"Ah, Miss Potter, you've awakened. Gave us quite a scare, you did, fainting like that," Pomfrey commented, a concern etched on her face. "I am Poppy Pomona Pomfrey, the resident mediwitch here at Hogwarts. It's an honor to meet you, though I wish it were under better circumstances. This incident was uncalled for, and rest assured, Snape will answer for his actions, regardless of Dumbledore's opinion. The rules explicitly prohibit such punishment in your case," Pomfrey's voice rose in pitch, her words sharp and biting.

She caught herself, "Please forgive me; our potions master… or should I say, soon-to-be former potions master, if I have anything to say about it, seems to be influencing me," she added, her tone apologetic. "That dunderhead," she muttered under her breath, unintentionally using Snape's favorite insult.

Aryanna's enhanced hearing caught the mutter, bringing a smile to her lips. 'Excellent, my plan is working. Snape's in trouble. Just what I wanted,' she thought, taking comfort in the potential consequences for her potions professor. If it was true, then it had just made all the pain worthwhile.

'Next, step two... act the part of the sorry, worried, and in pain child who just got her backside striped by a cane. Should be easy enough, considering I did get it… and it hurts…' "Ow!" she winced as pain from a welt shot through her. 'Very natural! No problem at… OW!.. all! Damn it! Oh yes, this day is so going to suck! Fuck you, Snape!' she thought bitterly, a fresh tear rolling down her face.

"But let's not rush," Pomfrey began, her voice soft and soothing as she saw her patient's discomfort. She held her wand at the ready, its tip glowing with a gentle light. "May I proceed with a few diagnostic spells?" She gestured towards her wand and then to Aryanna, her eyes filled with concern.

"Under normal circumstances, I wouldn't interfere with the aftermath of a punishment. The pain, regrettable as it is, is part of the ordeal and usually serves as a deterrent. However, your situation is far from normal. You were never supposed to be subjected to such a penalty in the first place." Her voice hardened at the last sentence, revealing her disapproval of the punishment.

"I'd like to conduct a few check-ups and apply some lotion to ease your discomfort if that's acceptable to you. You'll need to partially undress for the procedure," she added, her hands deftly pulling the privacy wall around them, ensuring Aryanna's dignity was preserved.

Aryanna nodded in agreement, grateful for any relief. "Go ahead," she said, her voice barely above a whisper. She began to undress again, wincing with each movement. "Just…be gentle. It hurts…a lot." Her voice trailed off, another tear escaping from the corner of her eye.

"How long have I been asleep?" Aryanna asked, as she settled down on her stomach, her voice barely above a whisper. Aryanna's cheeks warmed as she felt Pomfrey apply a cooling paste of some sort to her bruised bottom. "And what happened to Snape?"

Her eyes widened as she remembered the incident. "Are the others okay?" she asked, her voice filled with concern. She remembered the explosion and the boiling potion water splashing onto her classmates. "And Susan? Is she okay?" Her last memory before passing out was of Susan rushing towards Snape after having fired a spell at him.

"Your classmates?" Pomfrey asked, her eyebrows raised in surprise. Aryanna nodded. "Miss Harper, Miss Lee, and Mr. Goldstein are all fine. Exploding cauldrons are unfortunately quite common. They were treated with an anti-burn paste and left about an hour ago. As for Miss Bones, aside from a few pains similar to your own, I dare say she is doing well," she said with a rue smile. "She should be back any moment now. She wanted to check on you before curfew," Pomfrey said, her voice softening as she continued to apply the anti-bruising potion to Aryanna's wounds.

Aryanna sighed and nearly cooed in relief. Whatever potion Pomfrey was using on her backside seemed to be working wonders. Already she could feel the pain in her buttocks ebbing away. She was hopeful that by the next day, her ordeal would be old news, with only a few faint healing welts left over as a reminder of what had happened. 'Magic is so much more effective than muggle medicine. Maybe I won't need to ask my crystal for help after all,' she thought gratefully, a small smile playing on her lips.

"She's a very loyal friend; keep her close. There aren't many who would willingly risk their backsides to stun a professor," she added a twinkle in her eye, ignoring another slight wince from the girl while she worked.

Aryanna sighed. "I see… I owe her one," she said understanding what Pomfrey was telling her, her voice filled with gratitude and a hint of guilt. 'More than one. Oh, Susan, why did you interfere?' she thought, feeling guilty that her friend had also been punished for her mistake.

Just then, a knock echoed through the room, followed by Susan's voice, muffled by the hospital sheet serving as a privacy shield. "Madam Pomfrey, I'm back. Is Arya awake? Can I see her now?"

"She woke up a few minutes ago, Miss Bones. Please take a seat. I'll be finished with her in a few minutes. You can talk to her then," Pomfrey replied, her voice carrying a professional calmness.

A few minutes later, Arya was redressed and feeling much better. Pomfrey left, leaving the two girls alone.

"Hi, Susan!" Aryanna called out as soon as she saw her friend, who had joined her.

"Hey there, Arya! Feeling better?" Susan's voice carried a mix of relief and concern as she settled down beside Aryanna. She remained standing, her eyes searching for any signs of distress.

Both girls briefly hugged each other, causing one of Aryanna's healing welts to say hello once more, but she ignored it in favor of her best friend.

Aryanna frowned slightly, noticing Susan's movements seemed somewhat hesitant and there were faint traces of dried tears on her cheeks. But Susan was smiling, and that was always a good sign.

"Oh, Arya, we were so worried," Susan began, her voice choked with emotion. "Snape wouldn't stop caning you and well… Hannah and I had to carry you to the Hospital wing while Hermione went to get help for Snape. Pomfrey said he broke a few bones and won't be able to walk without a limp for a long time, if ever, but he'll survive. Oh, Arya, I was so worried," she added, tears welling up in her eyes.

"Shh, it's ok, I'm fine…or I will be once this…ouch… blasted pain goes away," Aryanna answered, wincing again.

Susan looked at her with a stern look. "Yeah, about that… what in the name of Merlin were you thinking?.. I mean seriously letting Sn…,

Arya quickly covered Susan's mouth with her hand. "I know, it was stupid of me, really stupid of me, but…" she trailed off.

"Wait! Snape? What happened to him?" Aryanna's eyes widened in surprise, a sudden thought making her gasp. "Please tell me you didn't…"

Susan looked at her, confusion turning into realization. "Oh!.. NO!...oh Merlin NO! Of course not. I did not attack…" She paused, looking unsure. "Well… actually… that is to say… er… it was only a stunner. I didn't mean to…ok, I did. But I would never… you know that… right?" Her voice was barely audible as she added, "At least not to a teacher."

Aryanna frowned, trying to make sense of Susan's rambling. She noticed Susan wince and decided to ask directly. "You're hurt, aren't you? Did he do it?"

Susan looked surprised by the question, then flushed slightly and nodded. "Not from him, but yes, I received a punishment too. But I don't mind, not really. Regardless of my reasons, the fact remains that I did attack Snape, a professor. So it was expected, really, and I always knew it would happen. I mean, assaulting a professor is a serious offense, so consequences were always inevitable, right? It doesn't matter why I did it, or that it was only a stunner. In the end, I still did it. But don't worry, it was a pleasure and an honor to defend you...even if I was a bit late this time. Even if it earned me a few of my own. Besides, the pain will fade, and I only got a fraction of the true punishment due to the circumstances. Normally the penalty for attacking a professor would have been a full twelve. I only got three. It could have been a lot worse, would have been, if he had not been caning you illegally. Well worth the trade-off in my opinion, especially seeing as Snape is on his way out now," she said with a grin, which turned into a slight grimace as a sudden shot of pain from her own backside made itself known.

Aryanna noticed it and shook her head in bemusement. "What a sorry bunch of punished little school girls we make," Arya japed. Both girls chuckled, though it was a bit pained.

"But well worth it... if it works out and Snape's truly on his way out," she added after a few seconds, getting a happy nod from Susan in return.

"About that... you and I are the talk of the school right now. I mean, it's not every day that a student knocks the hated dungeon bat on his ass and...mostly gets away with it to stay to talk about it later. Don't be surprised if you are treated like royalty by everybody not a Slytherin once you get back to the common room. I have already had a few older students open doors for me and I have even received offers to carry my books and help with my homework. There are even some rumors that there is a planned party in the common room in our honor tonight. You, for the way you so bravely stood up to him, and me, for being crazy enough to land him on his ass," Susan laughed. "They are only waiting for you to return," she added with a smirk at Aryanna's shocked look.

Arya groaned. 'Not sure if that's something to be happy about or the sort of fame I want...but..." she slowly began to smile, "I'll take it, I guess. Might as well have some sort of reward for my...ouch... *sigh* pain!"

Susan nodded in compatriotic empathy, then she suddenly gestured toward another nearby bed shrouded in privacy coverings. "That's him," she said quietly, motioning toward the occupied bed at the far end of the room. Aryanna followed her gaze, her eyes widening in surprise.

"That's..."

Susan nodded. "Yes, that's Snape. He's catching up on his beauty sleepover there. After he woke up, he was quite furious and actually wanted to hunt us down in his injured state. Wouldn't take no for an answer, so Pomfrey had to keep him forcefully sedated. He's wrapped up like a mummy, bandages from head to toe. And," Susan paused, gathering herself before continuing, "apparently, he's dealing with multiple injuries – broken bones, various liquids splashed over him, and..." she hesitated, blushing, "...a certain 'injury' from your kick, which might linger for quite a while," she finished, her face turning a deep shade of red.

Aryanna frowned, taking a moment to comprehend the implication of Susan's words, then struggled to contain her reaction, her hand flying to her mouth. 'Oh my...' she thought, her cheeks flushing as a smirk formed on her lips. It seemed her kick had not been as useless as she had thought.

Susan nodded knowingly, a smirk mirroring Aryanna's. "You really got him good. That kick alone might make you legendary. The girl who kicked the bat," she said with a hint of amusement.

Aryanna groaned, feeling embarrassed. "And neutered him," she added, blushing heavily in mortification, not relishing the idea of that being her legacy.

Susan couldn't help but giggle, deepening Aryanna's embarrassment.

But then Susan's demeanor shifted abruptly. "But all fun aside, for a moment there, I thought I was a goner. With all the damage Snape sustained - I mean with him getting blasted like he did - I was certain I was on my way out with bags in hand. Maybe even on my way to Azkaban for manslaughter."

Aryanna stared at her in shock. "They wouldn't do that... you're underage!" she blurted out.

"I know, I know... but that's what I thought at the time," Susan said. "All I saw at that moment was Snape's lifeless body, and I sort of panicked. I thought I had just murdered our potions professor. But then they assured me it wasn't my fault; it was your accidental magic," she explained, her smile returning briefly. "They even said he's lucky to be alive after that, and I quote... 'That imbecile was damn lucky he's able to move at all after what happened. Seriously, using corporal punishment is all well and good, but there's a reason why we're not supposed to use excessive force. Accidental magic can be quite explosive if used under immense stress and extreme pain,'" Susan quoted, imitating Pomfrey's voice, which made both girls laugh again before Susan grew solemn once more.

"But I think that is all sorted out now. I already painfully paid for my part," she said, solemnly motioning towards her bottom, "and he is no longer in any danger. Magic is great at healing just as much as it is in destruction. As for his inability to... well... 'get it up'..." Both girls blushed again. "...That can only be a good thing... right? But what I'm really saying is, he's lucky that he can still walk," she added, a troubled look on her face.

Aryanna nodded, her heart not fully invested in the conversation anymore.

At that moment, both girls began to hear loud noises coming from outside the hospital wing. The distinct sound of a heated argument was unmistakable. Aryanna quickly gestured to Susan to move the privacy curtain around them and to remain silent. After a moment's hesitation, Susan complied, leaving only a small gap for them to observe through.

The doors burst open seconds later, revealing the figures of Dumbledore and Setsuna. Both were embroiled in a fierce discussion, their expressions grim.

"About that... as much as I understand your concerns, I'm afraid I can't allow that," Dumbledore's voice rang out as the door swung open. Setsuna retorted without missing a beat, "You can, and you will, Headmaster. This isn't something you can simply ignore. My niece, an heiress of two ancient and powerful pureblood houses, was unlawfully and excessively caned, despite explicit instructions to the contrary. I demand his dismissal."

Aryanna and Susan exchanged wide-eyed glances.

"I don't think we're supposed to be hearing this," Susan murmured, to which Aryanna merely nodded.

"Well, they chose to argue in the hospital wing. It's their own fault… now be quiet, I need to hear this," Aryanna whispered back.

The atmosphere in the hospital wing remained tense as Aryanna and Susan eavesdropped on the intense conversation between Dumbledore and Setsuna.

Setsuna's gaze hardened as she turned to Dumbledore, her frustration clear. "Headmaster, I need a straightforward answer. What are you planning to do about Snape?"

Dumbledore sighed, acknowledging the seriousness of the situation. "Setsuna…"

"Governor Potter to you," Setsuna interjected sharply. "I am here on official business for the Board of Governors," she added, her patience wearing thin.

"Governor Potter, I assure you, Severus will face serious repercussions for his actions. I share your concerns and am committed to ensuring the safety and well-being of all Hogwarts students. However, I cannot simply dismiss Severus at this time."

Setsuna was not appeased by his assurances. "Repercussions? What does that even mean, Dumbledore? I need a clear and immediate answer! I want him removed from this school before he can cause any more harm. You cannot allow a staff member who abuses students to remain. I demand his dismissal."

Dumbledore's gaze seemed to flicker between Setsuna's resolute face and Aryanna's anxious eyes. "Setsuna, we must consider the broader implications here. Severus is a valuable asset to Hogwarts, and we cannot dismiss him without a thorough assessment. Furthermore, as a former spy, he would be in grave danger from Voldemort's remaining followers if dismissed from Hogwarts. Would you want to bear that responsibility?"

Setsuna's eyes flashed with fury. "If Snape valued his position, he should have behaved appropriately. His value as an asset doesn't outweigh the students' safety. Aryanna is my niece, and I won't let her safety be compromised. If you don't act, I'll escalate this to the board. I demand justice for Aryanna's mistreatment by Snape. Either act or I'll withdraw Aryanna from Hogwarts," she declared vehemently.

Aryanna's heart pounded at Setsuna's words. She exchanged a panicked glance with Susan. Despite her worry, Susan gave Aryanna a reassuring pat. "Don't worry, we're a team. If you leave, I'll follow, even if it means finding a way to get expelled. Shouldn't be too difficult. Kicking the bat in the balls a second time should do it," Susan whispered. Aryanna nodded gratefully and whispered back, "Thanks, but I hope it doesn't come to that." Susan nodded in agreement, "So do I." While kicking Snape would no doubt be fun, she knew the resulting painful punishment would not be.

Dumbledore sighed, his face etched with concern. He understood Setsuna's perspective and even agreed with her. Snape had crossed a line, but Dumbledore needed him at Hogwarts for reasons he couldn't disclose.

"Setsuna, Snape's actions were inexcusable, and he will be punished. But we must consider the repercussions. He's a highly skilled potion master, and his sudden departure would leave a significant void. One that would be extremely difficult to fill," Dumbledore reasoned.

Setsuna's eyes narrowed. She was tired of Dumbledore's stalling. "Headmaster, I'll say this one last time. Aryanna's well-being, like that of any student, is more important than Snape's skills or your personal feelings for him. I understand his dismissal would be a loss, but I won't let this injustice slide. If you need another potions professor, I can arrange for one by tomorrow," she retorted, her patience worn thin.

Aryanna's heart raced as she awaited Dumbledore's response. Susan watched her anxiously. The next few moments could determine their futures.

Fortunately, further escalation was prevented when an irate mediwitch returned from her nearby quarters. "What's going on here? Lower your voices! This is a hospital, and patients need rest," she scolded. "If you can't be civil, I'll have to ask you both to leave."

"Apologies, Poppy, we'll leave shortly. We just wanted to check on Aryanna and Severus," Dumbledore replied, raising a placating hand. "Are they awake?"

"Yes, Miss Potter was indeed awake before your abrupt entrance, and I daresay she overheard your entire dispute," Pomfrey retorted, causing Dumbledore to wince. "Miss Bones should also be present as she came for a visit…" Pomfrey's words trailed off as she glanced towards Aryanna's bed, only to be interrupted by an unexpected voice.

"Oh, she is awake all right, both brats haven't stopped yapping since she woke up. They were most infuriating to listen to," came the sudden snark-ish voice, belonging to Snape from behind his privacy shield, startling everybody in the room.

"Severus, it's good to hear you're awake," Dumbledore responded, striving to maintain a cheerful and composed tone amidst the palpable tension. He then proceeded towards the injured professor, leaving Setsuna alone with the nurse.

As Dumbledore neared Snape's bed, his expression a mix of kindness and disappointment, Setsuna cast a glance in their direction before making her way toward Aryanna's bed, her demeanor radiating both concern and resolve.

Setsuna didn't hesitate. She pulled back the privacy sheet at Aryanna's bed, offering her a comforting smile and acknowledging Susan with a quick nod.

"Are you alright?" she asked gently, her voice laced with concern. Aryanna nodded. "Yes, Suna, I'm okay. It hurts quite a bit…but that's to be expected. Are you really going to take me away from Hogwarts?" she asked quietly, her voice filled with worry.

"Only if there's no other option. Tell me what happened; I've heard too many conflicting accounts to understand clearly. Something about an explosion and Snape…punishing you for trying to help your classmates?" she asked, her voice heavy with worry for Aryanna's future health and well-being.

Aryanna slowly nodded, and over the next few minutes, both she and Susan relayed the events to Setsuna. With each word, Setsuna's anger grew. By the time the girls finished their account, Dumbledore had joined them.

He chose that moment to address the situation.

"Aryanna… Miss Potter, I want to start by apologizing for Professor Snape's actions," Dumbledore began, his eyes seeking Aryanna's for a reaction. "What occurred in the classroom today was indeed unacceptable, and I assure you, it will not be overlooked."

'Well, that sounds promising,' Aryanna thought and nodded. "Good! What's going to happen to him?" she asked, cutting straight to the chase. While it was nice that Dumbledore himself was apologizing on behalf of the school, she wasn't interested in empty apologies, especially not unless they were from Snape himself.

Dumbledore sighed deeply. "Rest assured, my dear girl, I will conduct a thorough investigation into the matter. If the evidence supports the claims, appropriate action will be taken."

Aryanna was incredulous at what she just heard. "What! What do you mean evidence? Aren't my welts enough?" Aryanna asked, her voice rising in disbelief. She couldn't believe the words coming out of the old man's mouth. "Do you need me to show them to you to make it more real?" she asked angrily. "Because if so, give me a chance to bend over, and I'll gladly show you my a…"

"ARYANNA JASMINE POTTER!, Behave yourself!" Setsuna interjected sternly. "Speaking angrily like that will not help."

Aryanna winced at her 'aunt's' loud voice. It was rare that she used her full name, even rarer that she was angry at her. She had to remember that she currently was not her princess, but her ward. Until she transformed Setsuna was the one in charge.

"I apologize, Professor, that was uncalled for, but my question stands. Why are you defending Snape when it's clear he's in the wrong?" she asked, this time more quietly, giving Setsuna a brief look and cringing slightly at her disappointed expression.

Dumbledore sighed. "That's quite alright, Miss Potter; tensions are high, so some allowances can be made at this time, I think. And I understand your concerns, but…"

It was at that moment that Snape decided to interject from his bed.

"Why are you even listening to the little chit? She's the one who caused all of this trouble. If she had simply followed orders like a good little girl, we wouldn't be in this situation," he called out angrily.

Aryanna's hands clenched into fists, her eyes flashing dangerously at Snape's words. Setsuna held up a hand, silencing her before she could retort. Snape, unfazed, continued, "The youth of today lack an understanding of discipline's importance. A firm hand is required to guide them."

Dumbledore raised an eyebrow, gesturing for Snape to cease his tirade. "Severus, I believe it would be best if I handled this matter," he said, his tone stern.

Setsuna was quick to respond, her gaze still narrowed. "Professor Snape, your attempts to deflect responsibility are both disappointing and pitiful. Your behavior is more fitting for a child than a responsible adult. Are you a child, Professor? Do you wish to be treated as one? As an adult and a teacher, you should have known better. Aryanna was not eligible for this type of punishment, and the extent of your abusive behavior in class, as described by my niece and her classmates, is inexcusable. Your actions are indefensible."

Snape scoffed, "Indefensible? These children need discipline. If you remove the consequences for their disobedience, they'll never learn."

Unable to contain her frustration any longer, Aryanna finally spoke up, her voice shaking with suppressed rage. "LEARN?" she nearly screamed. Seeing Setsuna's warning look, she continued in a quieter voice. "Learn what exactly, Professor? Your teaching methods are nothing short of bullying. You wave your wand, make a recipe appear on a board, and then expect us to brew it with no explanation or training. You never once bothered to explain how ingredients worked or what could go wrong. Whatever happened to teaching safety first? It was our very first class. If you were a better teacher, if you had stopped constantly looking for ways to punish me and actually done your job, none of this would have happened."

Snape sneered, "Study periods exist for a reason. Even eleven-year-olds can study and prepare."

Aryanna shot back, "Prepare for what? For unpredictable explosions and disproportionate punishments? We're children, not your underlings."

Snape, growing more irritated, retorted, "It's not my fault if you're all dunderheads who refuse to learn anything."

"Severus, Please! This is not helping!" Dumbledore tried to interject, wincing at every word, but he was ignored.

Aryanna's patience wore thin. "First years haven't been taught anything yet, you bloody moron! How are we supposed to know? It. Was. Our. First. Class! It's your job to create a safe and effective learning environment, not to intimidate and harm your students," she spat out in anger. "It's your fault the cauldron exploded. You should have been doing your job instead of trying to bully me." It was a testament to the fact that Setsuna fully agreed with Aryanna at that moment, that she didn't admonish Aryanna for her repeated bad language at that moment.

Snape snapped, his eyes darkening in anger, "As I said, you stupid child, that's what study periods are for. I expect every student to prepare for their potions classes before they attend the class."

Aryanna countered, "We're not apprentices, you imbecile. You can't expect us to perform like seasoned apprentices. It's your responsibility to teach us, not berate and punish us for your failures."

Snape growled in anger and glared at her furiously, his hands forming into shaking fists. He was having extreme difficulty controlling his anger. The tension in the room escalated as Dumbledore, Setsuna, Susan, and even Madam Pomfrey looked on.

Finally, Dumbledore spoke up.

"It seems both parties are to blame… How about a compromise?"

Everyone turned to look at him, their faces etched with disbelief and anger. "What? You can't be serious!" one voice exclaimed, while another retorted, "How can you possibly say that? What gave you that idea? Accusations flew back and forth: "He punished me unfairly!" "She broke the rules!" "No, that was you, I did nothing wrong!" Amidst the chaos, a single word stood out, "Compromise?" It was echoed by both the professor and student, their voices overlapping in a bewildered chorus, "What do you mean compromise?"

"Why should I have to compromise when he's the one in the wrong here?" Aryanna asked, her voice choked with emotion. She was not happy with the direction this was going. Not happy at all. 'I did not get my backside caned just so Snape could get a few weeks' holidays. I need him gone.' she thought, her mind racing. 'There has to be something I can do. Something which would make it impossible for Dumbledore to turn a blind eye to Snape. But what?' she wondered, her heart pounding in her chest. There was no way she was going to continue to go to Potions class with him around. She wasn't a masochist, no matter how much her acceptance of the caning may put that into question.

Setsuna's face hardened, her eyes flashing with suppressed anger, but before she could speak, Dumbledore raised his hand to calm the escalating tension in the room. "Aryanna, Setsuna, Severus, Please! Let us take a moment to consider a resolution that addresses everyone's concerns. Severus, your methods have clearly caused distress among the students, and this cannot be ignored. However, I think we... I mean most of us can agree that removing you from your position abruptly may have consequences for the stability of the school. I, therefore, propose a temporary suspension while we conduct a thorough investigation into the matter."

Snape's and Setsuna's eyes narrowed, both severely displeased with the suggestion, if for differing reasons. The old man was sounding like a broken record.

Snape's eyes narrowed, clearly displeased with the suggestion. "Headmaster! A suspension? This is preposterous!"

"Now, Severus, what you did was wrong, you know that. Surely you wouldn't accept a student to get away with breaking your rules, so why should you get away with breaking the school's rules?" Dumbledore asked, causing Snape to scowl angrily.

"So what? I just surrender and let the little brats run all over me?" Snape asked, his voice rising in anger. "Fine... if that's what it takes... but mark my words, give the brats one inch and they'll take a mile."

"No Severus, I expect you to take a bit of responsibility for your actions, just like you would expect your students to do if they did something wrong," Dumbledore said, his voice firm.

Aryanna felt a wave of panic wash over her. 'NO!, this can't be happening. He's supposed to get fired, not take a holiday,' she thought, her mind racing. He'd be back after Christmas and her caning would have been for nothing. She had to stall this, quickly. 'Damn it, this can't be happening. Snape's weaseling his way out of trouble. Damn you Snape! Damn you Dumbledore' Aryanna thought, her heart pounding in her chest. Beside her, Susan watched on with a resigned look on her face.

Suddenly Aryanna's eyes widened as she remembered something that had happened in class multiple times. 'Wait... that's it... I can use this!' she thought, a glimmer of hope sparking in her eyes.

"Um... sorry, Professor, may I please speak?" she asked, her voice barely above a whisper.

"Hasn't stopped you so far," Snape said, his voice dripping with disdain, which she ignored.

"Of course, my dear, what is it?" Dumbledore asked, ignoring Snape's comment, his eyes twinkling as he looked at her, only for him to scowl slightly a second later. Setsuna, Poppy, and Susan looked on with interest, wondering what Aryanna was up to.

Aryanna ignored the sudden feeling of someone trying to read her mind and started to speak.

"There is also something else... sorry, I should have mentioned this first, but after what happened... and seeing as I only just woke up a few minutes ago, well... it slipped my mind. I have reason to believe that he may be controlled or have a spell on him," she said, her voice trembling slightly. 'I hope this works. It's my last trump card. Please work,' she thought, her heart pounding in her chest.

Dumbledore frowned as she said this, and Setsuna eyed her sharply before her eyes widened slightly. She quickly turned to face Snape, who had a wide-eyed look on his face. It was clear he had not been expecting this. "What's this... making up lies now as well, Potter?" he asked, his voice cold and harsh.

"I'm not lying," Aryanna said, her voice barely above a whisper. 'They have to believe me. Please believe me,' she thought, her eyes pleading. It's all she had left. "Please...I'll even make an unbreakable wow on this if that's what it takes to make you believe me," she said, her voice choked with emotion, causing Susan and Poppy to gasp, and Dumbledore to raise his eyebrows in surprise.

"Aryanna, my dear, an unbreakable vow is not a matter to be taken lightly," Dumbledore began in a stern, grave tone, only to be interrupted by Aryanna.

"I know sir! Believe me, I know! But I assure you, I'm not lying!" she interjected before he could finish.

Suddenly Setsuna sighed and got a knowing look on her face. "You saw something, didn't you?" she inquired, her gaze fixed intently on Aryanna, scrutinizing her for any hint of deceit. Aryanna nodded, relieved that Setsuna seemed to believe her. "Indeed, whenever he was angry with me, his demeanor would change, as if overshadowed by a dark presence or a glazed look," Aryanna hastily added, eager to validate her claim before anyone could dismiss it as fabrication.

"It's the truth professor. I saw it too," Susan chimed in, lending her support. Aryanna shot her a grateful look.

"Oh, but of course, Miss Bones would say that. They're in this together," Snape retorted, annoyance evident in his tone as he glared at the girls. Susan recoiled at his glare, a silent promise of impending retribution, of the most painful kind.

Amidst the unfolding drama, Pomfrey, who had approached Snape's bed to check on the potions master, conducted a few scans surreptitiously. She frowned and shook her head. She found nothing.

Then Setsuna walked towards Snape. "May I try?" she asked, eyeing Snape as if he was a dangerously poised cobra, just waiting to strike.

"No, you may not," Snape retorted, his glare intensifying.

"Please, Headmaster, Madam Pomfrey, I suspect he may be compromised," she pleaded, turning to the two authority figures.

Pomfrey shrugged. "It wouldn't harm, and I'll ensure no foul play," she responded, her gaze shifting between Snape and Setsuna, uncertain of the situation.

Dumbledore paused, frowned, then shrugged, "The decision lies with Severus."

"I refuse!" Severus reiterated, his tone escalating.

Suddenly, Setsuna frowned. She had noticed a fleeting change in Snape's eyes. It was brief, almost imperceptible, but it was there - a shadow, just as Aryanna had described.

Frustrated by Snape's refusal, Setsuna hesitated, then decided to place her full trust in Aryanna. She didn't believe Aryanna would fabricate such a story. If she did, then she deserved the consequences. Thus, she proposed a risky compromise. "What if Aryanna and I agree to drop all charges if I find nothing? Would you consent then?" she asked abruptly.

Susan and Aryanna gasped in disbelief. "What? You can't be serious? He violated the rules, he punished me," they protested in unison.

'NO! This can't be happening. What is she doing?' Aryanna thought in panic. That was an even worse outcome than the one from before.

"Agreed," Dumbledore responded, breaking the tense silence.

"NO! NEVER!" Snape's voice reverberated, his eyes darkening once more.

"Severus! Please… just allow her. Once she finds nothing, we can all return to our normal lives," Dumbledore implored, his gaze sternly fixed on his potion master.

"I said no! I won't let her anywhere near me," Snape retorted. Setsuna's frown deepened. 'There…and there, twice. There it was again. A shadowing, glazing effect, just like Aryanna described. It seems to be fighting for control as well, whatever it is. Now I'm certain,' she thought. She decided to take a gamble.

"If I'm mistaken, and I find nothing, I'll take Aryanna with me, and you'll never have to see her again. I'll expel her myself as a board member," she proposed, raising the stakes. Susan and Aryanna gasped, their eyes wide with shock. It was all or nothing now. Either they were vindicated or they lost everything.

"NO!" This time it was Dumbledore who spoke. "I can't allow that…" A hint of panic crept into his tone. He quickly backtracked. "I mean, it wouldn't be fair. She's innocent and doesn't deserve that." He turned to Snape. "Severus, please, just let her proceed," he urged. The last thing he wanted was for Aryanna to leave Hogwarts. That would be a disaster far greater than losing Snape. He needed her to stay.

Aryanna stood frozen, her eyes widening as she realized Setsuna's intentions. Swallowing hard, she decided to place all her trust and hopes in the Guardian of Pluto. In a momentous act of faith, she decided to sweeten Snape's prize even further.

'I hope I won't regret this,' she thought. 'Because if this doesn't work out, I WILL regret this!'

She spoke up hesitantly, each word seeming to cause her distress. "Agreed. If Auntie finds nothing, I'll not only accept my expulsion and leave the castle by this evening," she said, her heart pounding. "I'll…," she paused, her heart skipping a beat. 'What am I doing? I must be insane. Completely mad to even consider this. But if this doesn't convince him, then nothing will,' she thought, gathering every ounce of courage she had left. "Then…I…," Aryanna struggled to utter the next few words, her throat feeling like sawdust.

Before she could second-guess herself even further, she blurted out the rest. "…Then I'll even allow you to finish caning me for lying…a full twelve strokes, the maximum allowed,…so…" she swallowed heavily, "eight more," she added. A flash of light emitted from her body, sealing her pledge as an unbreakable vow. Now trembling with fear, Aryanna collapsed back onto her bed. 'What have I done?' she wondered, feeling sick at the mere notion of what she had just promised. She felt like crying. There was no turning back now. 'Please…find something, anything! Please, I beg you!' she silently pleaded to Setsuna.

Susan and Pomfrey's eyes widened in shock and disbelief, their mouths agape. In Susan's case, it was pure horror as she looked at Aryanna. "Arya! NO!" she exclaimed, looking at her as if she had just grown an extra head. Poppy had collapsed onto a nearby bed. She knew such a punishment to such a young girl could cause irreparable damage. Meanwhile, Setsuna had closed her eyes, silently praying that she would indeed find what she hoped to find. If not…she didn't even want to consider it.

Snape, visibly struggling with the offer, swallowed hard, beads of sweat trickling down his face. He was in disbelief at what he had just heard. Both Aryanna and Setsuna noticed his eyes had completely glazed over, stronger than ever before. They had even changed color. 'YES!' Setsuna was now absolutely certain… something was controlling him. There was no other explanation.

"I…still… refuse," Snape finally managed to utter, his voice hoarse and strained with a tear escaping from his eyes, as if every fiber of his being wanted to accept the offer, but couldn't. His hands trembled, as if uttering those words cost him a great deal. It was as if it went against everything he stood for.

Albus Dumbledore stood rooted in place, shocked. His mouth hung open. He couldn't believe what he had just heard. Both Aryanna's offer and Snape's continued refusal were beyond his comprehension. This was not the Severus Snape he knew. The Snape he knew would NEVER refuse such an offer. Especially when there was nothing to lose, only to gain. He knew how much Severus despised James. He 'H'ated him with a capital 'H'. The Snape he knew would never have any qualms about caning James' child, especially if he could get away with it. It was like his greatest fantasy.

This, more than anything, convinced him that something was deeply wrong with Snape.

It was at that moment that he fully sided with 'Team Potter' and decided to take a gamble of his own. He decided to accept the offer, hoping for the best. He desperately hoped that Aryanna and Setsuna were correct and that Setsuna would be able to find what she was looking for because if not… he didn't want to think about it. 'It's for the greater good,' he thought, feeling dizzy from the current emotions and anxiety he was experiencing.

"Agreed…on all counts. Severus, as Headmaster of Hogwarts and also as Chief Mugwump of the Ministry, I hereby order you to allow Setsuna to perform a check-up on you," he commanded.

Suddenly, for the first time that night, true fear and despair appeared on Snape's face. "And if I don't," he whispered.

Dumbledore looked at him cautiously. The more he heard Snape speak, the more certain he was that this was not the Snape he knew. Maybe Setsuna was correct. 'Only one way to find out'. "Then, as much as it pains me, my boy, I will have no choice but to invoke a certain oath you once swore to me and force you," he said, sorrow evident in his eyes at what he now had to do.

The transformation was immediate. One moment, Snape appeared defeated and ready to yield. The next, he seemed to morph into an entirely different person before everyone's eyes.

Ignoring the pain of his partially healed wounds and his bandaged attire, Snape executed a swift series of movements. He somersaulted out of bed, startling Poppy who let out a scream of alarm. Caught completely off guard, she was unable to stop him as he swiftly snatched her wand from her hand. Snape spun around and cast a quick "Confringo" towards Dumbledore, hoping to catch him unawares, while simultaneously charging towards Aryanna. The entire sequence of actions took only a few seconds.

"Severus, No!" Dumbledore cried out, nimbly dodging the spell with an agility unexpected for his age. The curse continued on its path, striking an old portrait of a previous Headmaster. The portrait let out a scream and ducked into a neighboring one, as his burst into flames. "What are you doing?"

But Snape ignored him, his gaze locked onto Aryanna with a dangerous intensity. Aryanna recoiled, taken aback by the sudden transformation.

"Stay away from me!" Aryanna yelled, her mind scrambling for a solution as Snape sprang out of bed, disregarding his numerous wounds, and closed the distance between them.

Reacting swiftly, Setsuna lunged forward, her wand drawn, conjuring a spell to create a magical barrier around Aryanna. Snape collided with the invisible shield, rebounding off it and stumbling backward.

"What madness has possessed you, Severus?" Dumbledore demanded, his eyes narrowing with suspicion and anger, the Elder Wand now firmly pointed at Snape.

Snape, however, ignored him, glaring at Aryanna with an intensity that sent chills down her spine. "You did this! You bewitched me, Potter!"

Aryanna shook her head vehemently. "I did nothing! It's you who's been acting strangely!" Beside her, Susan stood frozen in terror, uncertain of what to do. Poppy, now wandless, had retreated away from the danger.

Setsuna, having successfully protected Aryanna, approached Snape cautiously.

Dumbledore tried to reason with Snape once more. "Severus, I implore you to calm down. We need to get to the bottom of this, but attacking students is not the solution."

Setsuna observed that his eyes were now completely glazed over; nothing of the old Snape seemed to remain.

Snape's expression twisted between anger, frustration, and then finally... acceptance.

With a wild, crazed look in his eyes, he turned his wand on Aryanna once more.

In a voice not solely his own, but merged with another's, he roared out, "AVADA KEDAVRA!"

"AVADA KEDAVRA!"

It all happened so fast, that Aryanna never had a chance to react.

Lying on her bed, she had barely enough time to even brace herself as the impending doom of the killing curse hurtled towards her.

Like an injured doe caught in the headlights of a truck!

Then, abruptly, a small body leaped in front of her, shielding her, absorbing the lethal curse in her stead.

A single brief flash of green light later and Aryanna suddenly found herself thrust into a nightmare from which there was no escape…

To be continued...