-107-
Two weeks goes by. Everything seems to be going well - as well as they can go during these times. Only... It's really hard to act like there's nothing more between me and our Headmaster. We haven't been able to spend any time alone with each other after the Christmas. Sometimes I think he got me the niffler just so she can keep me company. I ended up naming her Muffin. 'Out of all the names... You choose that one?' Severus wasn't convinced when he heard what I came up with. 'Yep!' I answered proudly. He then gave me the look 'You won't be catching me calling it that'. What a grumpy man... Somehow I managed to dodge the question about the book and where I got the red dress from. Keeping the Vanishing Cabinet as a secret from him makes me feel torn. There is this part of me that feels guilty for not telling him about it. But, then there is this other part in me that is telling I'm only protecting him. After all, I'm trying to help to put an end to this madness. And knowing Severus, he would just order me to stay out of this.
It's pretty cold and crispy weather as I'm walking outside the castle's groundings during the lunch time. Every breath I take, some steam comes either from my mouth of nose. Muffin is in a leash, sniffing everything around us. She's so darn cute! Dongy has knitted her little coat to keep her warm during weathers like these. People were amazed when they first saw the niffler as I was taking her to outside for a walk. So I had to come up with this lame excuse how I got her. There's no way I can reveal how Severus Snape - the most feared man in this school, got the beast for me as a Christmas present. So I ended up telling everyone I happened to find her right outskirt of the castle's yard just by accident. And sure enough, they all believed me. Because, why would I lie to them? Urgh, how much all of this pains my heart. I don't wanna keep lying to people. I just want to keep everyone safe!
Muffin isn't used to the leash quite yet, so she keeps walking in this funny way whenever she isn't too distracted by the environment around her. Silly little fella. After visiting Sniffy's grave, we walked to the Black Lake's shore. My gaze lift up to the sky. Only to see the light grey clouds, as there are tens of Dementors slowly flying above further away. Waiting if any of us cross the Hogwarts groundings, so they can make their attack. This is not the way to live. Seeing all this just confirms the feeling inside me that using the Vanishing Cabinet and keeping it in a tight secret is a good thing. I will tell Severus about it. Eventually. Not now. But eventually. "C'mon, Muffin. Let's keep going." I gently tug the leash and we continue the walk. We walked thru the thick ice that has the Black Lake underneath it. Had to walk carefully and keep my balance, so I wouldn't slip and fall. Unlike Muffin, who kept falling down on her little belly and sliding against the ice. Good thing I got her in the leash, so I was able to drag her when needed.
We ended up walking to this little land, that has sparse trees around it. During the summer time this island would be surrounded by the water so you would haveto either take the boat or fly with the broom to get here. However, this isn't just any land that I just randomly walk in to. This is where the White Tomb - Albus Dumbledore's grave is. His final resting place. Walking to the tomb without anyone else with me makes these great shivers go down from my neck all the way to the toes. Last time I was here was back when we had his funeral. My mind was a mess during that time, so I didn't actually had the time to take good look at the tomb he was put in. And now... Here it is. Even it's very simple, white colored with no decorations on it, it still gives this majestic feeling. Albus...
Now that I know the real reason behind why Severus ended Dumbledore's life and everything he knew about Harry Potter, I don't feel like breaking down crying of his death as I'm standing here. I am sorrowing it for sure - but not the same way I used to. After all, he was a great Wizard. Boss. Person who to turn to when the walls were coming down. Then again... He knew Harry is one of the Horcruxes and didn't tell him. He used Severus for his own good. Made him as his own spy without caring how it'll affect him in the long run. He used Severus's loyalty and good heart, and now Severus has to live with the consequences. Even Severus acts like this calm and collected person in front of everyone, and tries his best to keep himself focused, I just know he's suffering deep inside. He doesn't want me to see it, but he can't hide it from me. Specially during these few nights we have slept next to each other. When he sometimes mutters thru his sleep how sorry he is. That's when I wrap my arms around him and embrace till he fully calms down. It really breaks my heart. But I know we'll get thru this. Eventually. We just got to believe and keep our heads high.
With slight hesitant, yet gentle touch, I place a hand onto the White Tomb while looking at it. Despite all of this, I want to thank him. Because without Albus, I wouldn't have got the job as a professor in Hogwarts. Therefor, I wouldn't have ever met Severus. Wonder if he knew how we would get along? While keeping the hand on the cold stone, I calmly inhale thru my nose and close eyes. All of these memories flashing by. Warm feeling slowly filling me. Like there is this little fire that just lit up. I stand there like that for a couple minutes. It's so quiet and calm. Like the whole Wizarding World stopped for a moment. Thank you. Then, I slowly open my eyes and take the hand away. Muffin makes this little noise which gains my attention back to her - only to see how she's peeing right at the corner of the tomb. "MUFFIN!!" I exclaim.
Pretty much soon after that, we went back inside the castle. The warmth hits right away as we walk thru one of the big front doors. Need to take Muffin back to the chamber before the class starts. First thing I saw as we walked in is how dirty the floors are - which again isn't any surprise thru out this whole semester. It really begins to show more and more each day how we don't have enough of the elves taking care of the castle. And I don't blame them. The ones who decided to stay in the castle are doing their best. No doubt in that. It's not easy being understaffed. And no matter how much us Professors are trying to help them next to our jobs, the corridors always manages to get dirt on them after every class.
As I'm heading towards the chamber with the niffler, I hear this distant voice echoing thru the hallways. Like there are people talking, and not in a kind manner. Hm? For a moment, I thought if I should first get Muffin in the chamber before checking out what's going on there, but when I hear Minerva's voice, I lift Muffin in my arms and rushed towards the sound. Soon, I come behind the corner, only to see how there are bunch of students standing on aside, while there are both of the Carrow twins narrowing their eyes at the Transfiguration Professor. My heart partly jumped when I realized Amycus is here as well. Wha..-?! What's going on here? Seeing Amycus makes me feel on the edge. Thought Severus made sure to keep him away from the castle after the incident in the girls bathroom.
As the adults keeps arguing, I slowly approach them thru the children while keeping the baby niffler close to my chest. "Sorry, excuse me... Coming thru." I whisper while scampering. Every step I take, their argument gets more heated - even all three of them tries to keep the composure in front of the students. When I finally come in the front line of the group of students, I notice Cedric standing beside me. "What's happening?" I ask while my thumb keeps caressing Muffin's soft fur. "I'm not sure." the Hufflepuff answered without taking his eyes off the Professors before us. It soon became clear to me that Minerva isn't pleased the way Carrows has been disciplining the first years. "It's not a case of what you'll permit, McGonagall. Your time's over. It's us what's in charge here now, and you'll back me up or you'll pay the price." Amycus hisses. And right after that - before anyone could react, he spits on her. Right in her face.
Minerva gets baffled by this and jerked her head as the spit hits her face. All of the students lets out a quiet gasps when witnessing this. Alecto smirks proudly behind her brother. My eyes widens and get immediately consumed by this incredible anger. It all happens so fast; I shove Muffin into Cedric's arms and storm between Amycus and Minerva. Without thinking what might happen next, I aggressively do a strong push against Amycus's chest. He gets surprised by this and lets out a groan as he's forced to take a step back. "(Y/N)..!" Minerva lets under her breath worried. Students around us don't know what to do or how to act while they have their eyes glued on us. There is this murderous look in my eyes while glaring at the man in front of me and I hiss:"Go suck your Lord's winkle somewhere else with your sister.". Both of the twins glares back at me displeased.
Then, Amycus raise a brow:"That's quite a lot coming from Headmaster's whore.". This sparks something in me, and I quickly draw out my wand to dig it against his neck. People around us lets out small gasps, stressed what's about to happen next. For a moment, Amycus and I share this challenging look. Not saying a word. I have had enough of this prick..- Just when I'm finally about to open my mouth, another person walks thru the students:"Professors.". Immediately, we all turn towards the deep voice. My heart skips a beat and automatically lower the wand beside me. "Se-Snape." my voice breaks a bit, slightly off guard to see him standing there. This is a rare sight to see him in a corridor like this. Headmaster has the usual cold look on his face while standing only four meters away from us. Staring right into our souls.
To be quite honest, he looks like someone I've never met before. Like he isn't the same Severus who gives the best hugs and kisses when we are alone. No... This is someone else. He really pulls off this scary character he has created. All of the children has taken a few steps back away from him, looking all stressed and scared. Minerva is also little bit on the edge what to say or do here. The Headmaster takes a step forward without changing the look on his face, hands behind his back:"If it hasn't managed to come to your attention... Assaulting a staff member is strictly off the table.". Hah! You tell them. This little sneaky smile slowly appears on my lips while watching him coming towards us. Snape continues with the same cold and calculating manner:"However, if any of you feel there is a need for a discipline, they will be answering... To me.". But when he finally gets between us, instead of turning to face the Carrows, he turns to me with that shivering cold look, immediately making the smile on my lips drop. What?!