-12-
Days goes by. It all still feels like a nightmare what happened in the Potions classroom between me and Snape. I have gone back and forth what did I say or do wrong. But I can't figure it out in any way. Haven't dared to tell anyone about this either. The way he looked at me still haunts me. "Professor?" Neville's voice brings me back from my thoughts. Immediately I lift my head up from the desk to see him at the entry while the other students are leaving the class. "Are you sure you are not coming to the Halloween Feast?" he ask. "I'm sorry, Neville. I'm afraid there are too much for me to do. But you kids go and enjoy!" I chuckle. Completely forgot today is the day of Halloween Feast until the students stared chatting about it during class. Got other things on my mind for some reason. Can't bare the thought of sitting next to Snape right now. Most of my time I've spend in the Greenhouse to avoid him. And it'll be the perfect time to deliver the plants in his class while he's in the Great Hall with everyone. It's the end of the month after all. Unless...
"Neville!" I call after him when he's just about to leave the classroom. Got up from my seat and approach him:"Could you maybe do me a favor?". He stands there, ready to listen what I haveto say. "Could you deliver these plants to the Potions class on your way? It would really mean a lot to me." pointing at the boxes that are in the corner that are filled with different kinds of herbs and plants. Can see how nervous that made him. He is after all afraid of Snape as much as I am right now. He doesn't know what to say:"..I-I'm not sure if..-", "Oh, Miss Lovegood!" I call out the girl who's talking with another student right outside of the classroom's door. The girl turns to us with gentle smile:"Yes, Professor (Y/L)?". "Would you be a dear and deliver these plants with Mr. Longbottom to the Potions class on your way to the Great Hall?" I smile back. Neville's ears got red in front of his crush. "Certainly, Professor." Miss Lovegood nods and starts gathering the boxes with Neville. Can feel myself way more relaxed now after knowing I just avoided the possibility to run into Snape. And! Neville can spend some time with his crush. So it's a win - win situation! Big smile comes up to my face:"Wonderful! Thank you so much!".
After they left, I collapse onto the chair behind the desk and take a deep breath. How on earth did I end up in a situation like this? How long have I been here, two months? I should write Professor Sprouts a letter and tell her how has my career as Herbology teacher has been - leaving all the drama out of course, and ask discreetly when she's coming back. I just can't keep living here like this. Avoiding specific professor rest of my time being here? Impossible. While writing the letter, my stomach starts making noise. After all, I haven't eat anything since lunch and it's already pretty late. I look at the time. According to my knowledge, the Headmaster has just started his speech, so that means all of the hallways are empty. Hmm... Walking a familiar path, I go to the kitchen where all of the elves are making the food. It's pretty hot in here, since all of the stone ovens are on. There are noises everywhere as the elves are running around, making sure there will be enough food for everyone upstairs. Here should be something to grab.
While looking around the kitchen, I hear a very gentle, yet timid voice:"Master (Y/L)..?". "Huh?" I turn around. Haven't heard anyone calling me that in years. It's my family's former House-elf, Dongy. The elf's wrinkly face turns into a smile:"It is you! Oh, Dongy recognized Master (Y/L) across the room!". Looking down at him with big smile on my face:"Dongy! Wha-what are you doing in here?!". "Dongy got a job in Hogwarts after he worked for (Y/L)'s family." he tells. "Oh, I'm so happy for you! May I give you a hug?" spreading my arms towards him. He looks happily surprised:"Oh, why of course, Master (Y/L).". I hunch down and give him a gentle, friendly hug. All of the other elves in the kitchen looks slightly confused, but continue what they were doing. After pulling away from the hug, I hold on to his tiny shoulders and smile:"Please, call me (Y/N). I haven't been 'your Master' in years. You are free, remember?". Hate the word 'Master'. Brings too many unwanted memories. He smiles brightly:"Dongy never forget what (Y/N) did for him. Never! It was the happiest day of Dongy's life.". Wish I could say the same.
"So, what can Dongy do for (Y/N)?" he ask. "Is there any change I'd get some of that delicious food you are making?" I chuckle. "(Y/N) won't join the other witches and wizards for the feast?" he tilts his head confused. "Well, um..- Not tonight. I got other things to do, unfortunately." I lie. "Please, take a seat. Dongy will be right back." he points at the small stool and goes to get me something. Hesitantly, I sit down on the tiny stool, hoping it won't break under my weight. While watching all of these elves running around the kitchen, a memory from the past hits. 'You gave him a WHAT?!' my fathers voice echoes in my head. 'Mittens. He was very cold when he was outside shoveling all that snow...' little me at nine years old answered without knowing what a terrible mistake I had just made. Chills goes thru me just thinking about it and I quickly shook my head. "Ah, here we are!" Dongy comes back with a plate that has just the right amount of food. "Thank you, Dongy. Truly." giving a gentle smile at him while taking the plate.
After eating and chatting with Dongy, I start heading back to the chamber. Oh boy, am I full now! It felt good to talk to someone who won't start questioning me about the details of my life. Just then, the corridor started to flood with students. Hm? Guessing the Halloween Feast's official part has just ended and the students are now free to do what they want rest of the evening. While all of these students are walking the different direction than me, I try to scamper thru them. But then, I see him. Snape. Standing other side of the corridor. My heart drops. He turns his head and our eyes meet right away. Shit, shit, shit..!! Quickly I turn a heel and start rushing:"Excuse me, sorry, coming thru!". Can't tell if he went after me or not. Too scared to turn and see. All I can say is that I can just feel those dark eyes burning back of my head.
Ended up in the place I know the dungeon bat wouldn't dare to step his foot in. In the Defence Against the Dark Arts classroom. Didn't know where else to go. Seems that Remus had just arrived one or two minutes ago into the room as he's standing other side of the room. He turns to see me, slightly surprised to see me. "(Y/N)? Haven't seen you for a while." he chuckles. Words aren't coming out of my mouth, so I just stare at him at the doorway. Being overwhelmed by everything that has happened lately, tears start to come up. It got him worried:"What happened? Are you alright?". Trying to give him the brave face:"...Yes.". But as soon as I blink, a tear rolls down my cheek. Remus sighs:"Come here, but do close the door behind you.". I do as told and walk up to him. Right when I get to the front of the classroom, he points at a chair and asks me to sit down. Then I tell him everything. What happened at Hogsmeade. About Lucius Malfoy. And what happened between me and Snape.
Remus gave me a piece of chocolate in middle of my 'story telling' and sobbing. Don't know how, but I must admit, I felt a lot better after taking a bite of it. He's a great friend. "Oh, (Y/N). What have you got yourself into..." Remus sighs under his breath. Hardly heard him:"What?". He shrugs:"Well, I must agree with Severus. About trying to keep your distance towards Lucius Malfoy and his friends. Bad things can happen if you get involved with him.". "I'm not afraid of him." I add. "But you are afraid of Severus." he outsmarted. Fidgeting the little piece of chocolate in my fingers - or what is left of it:"You should have seen the way he looked at me. It's a miracle I'm still alive.". Remus lets out a chuckle, walks closer and sits down on the edge of his desk:"You know, Tonks and I have our own fights. But there isn't anything we can't work out.". I raise an eyebrow:"Yeah, well... There happens to be this little teeny-tiny difference; you two are engaged.".
I've never met his fiancé, but by those constant times and stories Remus has told me about her, it feels like I already know her really well. "Engaged. Married. Working together. Practically the same thing." he shrugs casually. This man... "But the poison mixed in the drink doesn't really sound something Lucius would do." he wonders out loud with pensive look on his face. "Yeah, that's what Snape said too." I nod. We talked a little while before we both realized how late it is. The gentleman Remus is, he suggested he'll walk me back to the chamber, which I gladly accepted. In case I happen to run into Snape, at least I'd have Remus beside me. Even our conversation didn't solve my problems, I'm still glad I finally got the change to talk to someone. Now the ones who knows about the Hogsmeade incident are Remus, Hagrid and Snape.
While we walk this narrow hallway in the darkness together, Remus stops walking in front of me all of sudden and I bump into him. That startled me a little:"What are yo..- ", "Hush." Remus lift his finger against his lips. Then we stay quiet for a quick moment. Soon, I hear two people talking further away. Huh? Then I recognize the voices. It's Harry Potter and Professor Snape! It sounds like they are arguing - well, in their own way. Calmly, yet threatening way. Why a student is out of the bed at this time of the night? Remus starts approaching them and I quickly go after him. Is this a good idea? Don't know what Mr. Potter said, but that seemed to upset Snape:"Why you insolent little..-", "Professor." Remus interrupts them with sturdy voice. Snape turns around quickly while having his wand out with Lumos. Potter got off guard too. What's going on here?