Moody
‘Ah, good morning Petronella, it’s good to see you.’ Filius smiles cheerfully from behind a rather large stack of parchments.
‘Is it?’ Petra questions.
‘Is it a good morning or is it good to see you?’ Filius asks back, but doesn’t wait for an answer. ‘No matter, it’s yes on both counts, would you like some coffee? I made sure I had some of the good stuff on hand for you.’ The Head of Ravenclaw winks.
‘Oh. Yes, thank you.’ Petra responds.
Filius chuckles slightly as he waves his wand to the coffee pot.
‘You always seem so surprised still.’ He says, as the pot pours out two cups which then float over. ‘I have known you for over twenty years, and been teaching with you for eight, why would I not be pleased to see you?’
‘I might be an awful, grumpy, bitch with no social skills who drinks all of your good coffee and never stays to chat.’ Petra states.
‘Was that a joke…?!’ Filius grins. ‘Well it so happens that I like people who are honest, and appreciate my special coffee, and who don’t chatter on – I do enough of that for the both of us.’
‘That’s true.’ Petra says. ‘I like you too, now can we get on with the meeting?’
Filius chuckles again, and takes a sip from his cup.
‘By all means.’ He smiles.
‘As Defence has been a bit better covered this past year, and it should be this year too if Moody hasn’t completely lost the plot, I think I could drop some of the defensive charms I’ve been teaching.’ Petra says. ‘In their place I would like to add in a few lessons on ancient magic and the elemental arts. I realise they don’t strictly fall under the category of charms in the modern sense, but they are the basis of all magic, and I think it would aid the students understanding, and casting abilities to have some knowledge of the subject.’
‘Petronella, I completely agree with you.’ Filius tells her. ‘Though elemental magic has never been one of my personal areas of interest, I have watched you grow and develop your skills in this area, and I think it would be a wonderful addition to the charms curriculum. You have a lesson plan?’
‘Yes.’ Petra hands it over.
‘The difficulty might be getting it past the board of governors.’ Filius frowns, taking the parchment and putting on his reading glasses.
‘Fuck the board.’ Petra says.
Filius snorts.
‘I have a meeting with them this afternoon, I’ll tell them you said that shall I?’ He shakes his head, but is grinning again. ‘Actually don’t answer that.’ He adds, reading through the lesson plan.
‘That was a joke that time.’ Petra says. ‘Lucius Malfoy is chairman of the board. I think he might be amenable to inclusion of the ancient arts.’
‘This is very good.’ Filius says, having finished reading the document.
‘I should hope so, I’ve re-written it about ten times.’ Petra purses her lips. ‘I always was better at writing than speaking.’ She adds.
‘You have permission slips ready for the little field trip you propose?’ Filius asks.
‘No… I wasn’t sure…’ Petra cringes, she’d never really got involved in the official paperwork side of school business.
Filius pulls a parchment out of a nearby file.
‘Use this as a template, adding the details of your activity, and get it back to me before the staff meeting this afternoon so that Minerva can send them out with the other last minute bits.’ He says. ‘I think this might prove to be quite a popular one.’
Petra raises her brows. She’d never really been associated with the word popular in any capacity before, but there’s a first time for everything. She thanks Filius and leaves for her own office.
~~~~
The last few days of the holidays are really dragging. Harry’s hardly seen Severus, as the Head of Slytherin has a lot to do in order to prepare for the start of term. Petra is busy too, planning her classes, and some other project she’s been working on. Harry wanders around the grounds with Sid under strict instructions to avoid anyone he doesn’t recognise, and definitely not to wander into the forest, nor outside the gates. There are almost as many rules and restrictions as his first summer here – although less than he might have imagined, all things considered.
In a way his parents are treating him a bit more like an adult too. They had told him a lot of things the other night, and he was trying to react to it all with the same level of maturity they had granted him. Harry wanders up to Hagrid’s hut while he thinks it all through.
‘Ello there ‘arry!’ Hagrid greets him cheerily as always, and Harry grins, glad of the distraction from his heavy thoughts. Hagrid is to be teaching Care of Magical Creatures again this year, and he gives Harry a sneak peek at some of the creatures they’re going to be looking at this term. Harry’s not too sure about the Blast-ended Screwballs or whatever they’re called, but Hagrid is so enthusiastic that he doesn’t voice his objections.
‘Sid’s doin alright is ‘he?’ Hagrid asks, bending down to peer at the snake, who is stretching out his neck and flicking his tongue out to taste the air. ‘Grown a lot, but ‘e’s still a wee fella aint ‘e.’
‘Just under two foot now, but he’s eating 6 mice a month, plus whatever else he can find.’ Harry responds with a smile, rubbing the snake under his chin. ‘I don’t know where he puts it all.’
‘Skinny like yer dad. Snape I mean.’ Hagrid chortles.
After some tea, and a very hard rock cake (most of which he feeds to Sid) Harry decides to head up to the castle. Petra said she’d try to get away this afternoon so she could take him for a swim in the lake. Why he couldn’t do that on his own was an argument he’d given up after Severus had quipped that if he drowned the Slytherins would get lovely view of his bloated corpse from their common room window.
Harry hadn’t really expected to bump into the Headmaster on his travels. He thought there was some big staff meeting this afternoon about arrangements for the Tri-Wizard Tournament. Harry wasn’t supposed to know about that though.
‘Good afternoon Mr Potter.’ Dumbledore smiles amiably. ‘Lovely day isn’t it.’ The Headmaster tilts his face up at the warm sunshine flooding into the courtyard.
‘I thought there was a staff meeting this afternoon sir?’ Harry questions.
‘Ah yes, it has been pushed back by an hour, and I find myself at rather a loose end. Would you care to take a stroll with me?’
‘Alright.’ Harry responds, being at a bit of a loose end himself.
‘How are you Harry?’ Dumbledore asks, as they drift from the courtyard to the stone bridge.
‘Good sir.’ Harry responds. ‘Well, considering everything you know.’
‘Yes, the events at the world cup were rather shocking. The attack seems to have come out of nowhere. No hints or murmurs about Voldemort’s forces rising… though I cannot help think that the Dark Lord must be gaining strength…’ Dumbledore’s twinkling blue eyes search out Harry’s.
Harry looks out over the deep ravine, and focuses on the sunlight glinting on the water far below.
‘I think it is time that I told you something Harry.’ The Headmaster hums, his voice both quieter and heavier.
‘Yes sir?’ Harry is genuinely curious but tries not to show it too much.
‘It concerns a prophecy… about a boy, born at the end of July…’
Harry struggles to keep his emotions and his face neutral as the Headmaster continues.
‘A boy, said to have the power to defeat the Dark Lord.’
‘Me. You mean.’ Harry manages to whisper, as he avoids the Headmaster’s gaze.
‘It was Severus who delivered this prophecy to the Dark Lord Harry. I know he has already told you that he passed on information that led to your parent’s death. But I thought it was time for you to understand what that information was.’
Harry is struggling to appear to give the correct response, as his mind whirls, but realises he can show the shock on his face. Shock not at what the Headmaster has said – because Severus had told him this only a few days ago – but that Dumbledore is telling him.
The Headmaster has forbade me to tell you this Harry, and I’ll admit that that suited me… I am a selfish man, and it was easier for me to keep this from you, but with everything that is happening, it is important that you know everything. There must not be anything that can be used against us, that can come between us. We need to be strong and trust each other completely. Severus had said.
Then he had explained how he had overheard part of a prophecy, relayed by Trelawny to the Headmaster. How he’d been caught trying to listen in and sent off by Aberforth, and had taken the information straight to the Dark Lord. The rest Harry had already known really, how Severus hadn’t known the significance of the prophecy, nor whom it was about. The Dark Lord hadn’t either, until that is a baby had been born at the end of July – Harry himself. That was when Voldemort had decided to target the Potters, and when Severus had decided to defect.
Dumbledore is relaying some of this to Harry, as he remembers his father’s words, and stares fixedly at the water.
‘Why are you telling me this sir?’ He murmurs.
‘Harry it was not my intention to upset you.’ The Headmaster lays a hand on his shoulder, and Harry instinctively flinches slightly. ‘But if Voldemort is indeed growing stronger, calling his supporters back to him, it is important that you should know.’
Harry nods, then makes his excuses and hurries away.
~~~~
Harry goes back to the cottage, ruminating on his conversation with the Headmaster. He opens the back doors, picks out one of Petra’s records, and turns the sound on the gramophone all the way up, then lies out on the grass, which has grown quite long and is peppered with wildflowers. Fluffy white clouds drift past on a cerulean blue sky. Harry scowls at them.
‘You almost look like a proper moody teenager.’ A voice says, and Petra’s face comes into view above him, black hair obscuring the bright sunlight.
‘I am a moody teenager.’ Harry grins, sitting up.
Petra smirks then hands him a bottle of butterbeer, sitting herself down nearby and swigging from a bottle of cider.
‘You just need a fag hanging from your mouth…’ She comments, making Harry choke on his drink.
‘A what…?’ He coughs.
‘Fag. As in cigarette.’ Petra says, the corner of her mouth turning up. ‘Not that I’m encouraging that habit, and I should probably tell you you’re too young for the other thing, but I’d be rather a hypocrite if I did.’
Harry nearly chokes again, and decides to change the subject.
‘Dumbledore spoke to me this afternoon.’ He says.
‘About anything in particular?’ Petra queries.
‘We should probably wait until dad gets back.’ Harry realises. ‘It kinda concerns him.’
Petra doesn’t respond to that, but just sips her cider, and looks down the hill towards Hogsmeade. They sit in silence for a while, listening to the music.
Hey, wait, I’ve got a real complaint. Forever in debt your priceless advice.
I’m not like them, but I can pretend. The sun is gone, but I have a light. The day is done, but I’m having fun. I think I’m dumb. Or maybe just happy.
‘Is it…’ Harry pauses. ‘Is it ok to fancy more than one person at the same time?’ He doesn’t look at his mother and tries to hide his mortification behind his beer bottle.
‘Of course.’ Petra says. ‘It’s even alright to date more than one person, if everyone is in agreement.’
‘Really?’
‘As long as you’re honest and respectful.’ Petra shrugs. ‘And you know it’s perfectly normal to be attracted to any gender right?’
‘Yeah…’ Harry murmurs. ‘Um… I think I might be… I mean I sort of like a guy I think…’ He manages to stutter out.
‘Alright.’ Petra nods casually.
‘Do you, I mean have you ever liked, a girl?’ Harry asks.
‘Hmm, nah, not really. It’s the boobs.’ Petra wrinkles her nose. ‘Just… don’t do it for me. You know Sev like blokes though right?’
‘What? Really?’ Harry asks surprised. ‘He doesn’t… I mean you two…’
‘We’re monogamous.’ Petra assures him.
‘Oh right, good. I mean…’ Harry is finding this conversation beyond awkward, but Petra just laughs.
‘You think I have any energy left after dealing with mister grumpy?’ She quips.
‘You can talk, miss grouch.’ Severus mutters, coming through the doors. He kisses the top of Petra’s head, then sits down nearby.
‘So…’ Petra prompts, looking at Harry.
‘Right, yeah.’ He sighs. ‘Dumbledore spoke to me earlier.’
‘Professor Dumbledore.’ Severus corrects. ‘It is important you show him the proper respect.’
‘Yeah? You might not think so after this.’ Harry grumbles, finding that he feels rather more resentful than he had thought. ‘He told me about the prophecy.’ Harry looks up at his father.
‘Hmm.’ Severus frowns and nods. ‘Rather sooner than I might have expected.’
‘You knew he would tell me?’
‘It was a possibility.’ Petra says. ‘We are not entirely certain…’
‘Albus has been a mentor, and a leader to both of us over the years.’ Severus interjects.
‘But we can no longer trust his motives. Or rather, his motives may have become more important to him than anything – or anyone else.’ Petra finishes.
‘I think…’ Harry starts. ‘I think he might have been trying to do that leggily thing you told me about.’
‘Legilimency.’ Severus scowls.
‘Yeah, that. I don’t know why, I just felt…’ He can’t explain it.
‘Keep practising the meditation for now.’ Petra says. Severus had wanted to dive right in with Occlumency training, but she knew what his lessons could be like, and she was sure Harry needed to learn to calm his thoughts first.
‘Do you want to talk about the prophecy further?’ Severus asks.
Harry hadn’t wanted to the other night, said he needed time to think about it, but there was something niggling at him.
‘It’s just… I know you didn’t know who it was about. Nobody did. But… you knew it was about someone. When you-know-who heard it, he wasn’t just going to let it go was he? He was going to go after some baby. To… kill it…’ Harry trails off.
Severus is quiet for a long moment.
‘At the time I told myself it was just a load of rubbish. I mean it was Trelawny. But yes, I was at best wilfully ignorant. As I told you Harry, I was, at one time a very angry person. I did not take this mark,’ His fingers skim the dark mark on his inner arm, ‘Thinking that I would be helping old ladies to cross the street. I wanted to hurt people. I… believed in what the Dark Lord, and others had told me about muggles, about blood…’
‘But you’re a half-blood.’
‘Yes. And I suppose out of everyone I hated, it was myself whom I hated the most.’
Harry tries to make sense of that.
‘It is good that you don’t understand what it is like to feel like that. It means we have done something right, I hope.’
~~~~
Harry’s actually glad when the start of term approaches. Petra walks him down to Hogsmeade to pick up a few last minute things, then she lets him meet his friends off the train and ride up in the carriages with them.
A storm has been brewing all day, and the rain starts to fall heavily as they climb into the carriages.
Ron and Hermione are full of all sorts of stories about the last few days of the holidays, how the Ministry is in a kerfuffle, and some witch called Bertha has gone missing. Hermione is all up on her high horse about house elves for some reason, and Ron is complaining about his siblings again.
‘And mum gave me these awful robes – dress robes she said, but she wouldn’t tell me what they were for.’ Ron moans.
‘Oh I should think you’ll find out soon.’ Harry says, and he can’t help but smirk to himself.
‘Don’t you start!’ Ron protests. ‘I suppose your parents have told you too. You’re as bad as bloody Malfoy.’ He huffs.
‘Oy!’ Harry exclaims. ‘No need for that.’
‘Well let us in on the secret then, come on Harry.’ Ron begs.
‘No chance. I’m not even supposed to know. I expect Dumbledore will announce it at the feast though.’ Harry says.
The carriage pulls up and they run inside, shaking the rain from their cloaks.
‘How come you’re so dry?’ Ron scowls at Harry’s cloak while he drips all over the floor.
‘Impervious charm, my…’
‘Mum. Right.’ Ron rolls his eyes and trudges to the table.
‘Well I’ve got have some perks to my parents being on the staff. But it’s not all fun Ron I never get away with anything you know that. And I got extra homework over the summer.’
‘Hmm. I suppose.’ Ron grumbles, but he definitely looks more cheerful.
They get settled and the first years file in. Harry looks up at the teacher’s table while the names are being read out. Petra looks a bit on edge, and the charmed ceiling above them is being a little more fractious than usual. He wonders if the two are connected, and hopes she’s ok. Then the food arrives and they all tuck in.
~~
‘You should have taken some of that alone time you used to be so fond of.’ Severus comments.
‘Yes, I’m aware of that now, thank you. Very helpful.’ Petra grits out.
She knows he’s right. She knows what she needs to do in order to look after herself, and to avoid becoming overwhelmed, but she’s been able to cope with so much more this past couple of years. The regular rituals, her connection to the ancient magic, and practice of the elemental arts have all helped to channel her energy. But tonight she can feel that static buzz inside her skull, that nervous energy which runs through nerves and prickles under the skin.
The hall is even noisier than usual for the start of term feast, and the teacher’s table full, with two extra people. It doesn’t help that one of them is Crouch. It also doesn’t help that Moody is late to arrive – not that she’s looking forward to seeing him, but not knowing when he might suddenly come marching in the doors is quite unnerving.
Petra is beginning to think that perhaps she shouldn’t have come at all. The ceiling seems to agree with her. It is only supposed to present a depiction of the weather outside, but the loud rumbles of thunder are beginning to feel quite threatening, and she’s sure she felt a raindrop a moment ago.
Petra taps her leg under the table, and tries to calm her breathing.
‘Slow and steady love.’ Severus rumbles, squeezing her hand.
The food which would usually put her in a better mood just looks thick and heavy, and she pushes her plate away. Severus calls an elf to remove both their plates.
‘You should eat.’ Petra tells him.
‘We will eat together later.’ Severus states, throwing a few threatening glares around at the noisiest students.
Eventually Dumbledore stands up to make the announcements.
‘This year there will be no inter house Quidditch Cup…’ He begins, eliciting a chorus of protests. ‘Now, now, not to worry because we have a very exciting event planned which will run for most of the school year. Something which I am sure will more than make up for it, and which…’
Petra was bracing herself for the announcement about the Tri-Wizard Tournament, but instead the Headmaster is cut off when the doors to the hall suddenly swing open with a loud clunk, and Alastair Moody comes striding in.
Everything she has been semi-successfully holding back up to this point is breached like a rift in a damn, and released in a burst of magic. Lightning rips across the ceiling with a crack which reverberates down the walls, and real rain begins to fall in earnest.
Several of the children squeal, plates and books are held up to cover heads, and some of the older students cast umbrella charms.
‘Alright love?’ Severus murmurs in her ear, taking her hand under the table and squeezing tightly.
The emission of energy had helped a bit, though she feels terrible for causing a disturbance.
‘Sorry.’ She cringes, taking a calming breath as the rain clears up. ‘Sorry about that.’ She gives an apologetic look to the Headmaster, who has turned around to look at her also. He gives her a brief nod, then turns to greet Moody.
Alastair stalks to the far end of the teacher’s table, his false eye roving around, taking in the both of them as he goes to lean against the wall. Though they can only just see him from this angle, no doubt he’s also having a good look at Harry. Petra wonders what his opinions about Crouch’s accusations at the World Cup might be.
Moody had trained Petra briefly when she joined the order, he was tough, and knowledgable, she appreciated his down to earth attitude, and had a lot of respect for his skill. However, he was one of those “shoot first ask questions later” types she had told Harry about. Things had got pretty extreme towards the end of the war, and for the most part she had been away from the front lines, so perhaps it wasn’t her place to judge, but Petra did not believe in anyone having the power of judge, jury, and executioner. Even in times of war.
Of course if one is in a situation of kill or be killed, one must do what has to be done, and her own conscience is far from clear when it came to murder. However, Moody had become almost as extreme as those he was fighting against.
Petra can feel the tension in Severus beside her too, though he is hiding much better than her. They had spoken about the appointment of Moody to the DADA position, and she knows Severus isn’t happy about him being here.
Apparently he had seen the Auror kill two young Death Eaters, as they were running away from a battle. Shot them in the back with Avada Kedavra without even trying to detain them. Evan Rosier and Charles Avery. Aged 19 and 21. Severus had only survived by removing his mask and dropping Dumbledore’s name. If it had been pre-defection he would have been dead.
The story didn’t surprise Petra exactly; she had heard the way Alastair spoke in Order meetings. He would say things like “the only good Death Eater is a dead Death Eater”. But it was still shocking to hear. And now this man was being put in charge of teaching students – some of whom probably had family members who had died at his hand. Merlin knows what he’s going to put Severus through as well. No matter their history, if Moody hurts her husband she will rip out that bloody eye and shove it where the sun doesn’t shine.
~~
‘Was that Professor Blishwick?’ Hermione whispers to Harry, after the Headmaster has calmed the ceiling and cast a drying charm on the whole hall.
‘Yeah.’ Harry cringes. ‘I think mum’s a bit stressed.’
‘...welcome our new Defence Against the Dark Arts Professor, Alastair Moody.’ The Headmaster is saying.
‘Bloody hell.’ Ron mutters.
‘Isn’t he the one your dad was helping out this morning?’ Hermione says to Ron.
‘Yeah.’
‘Huh, what’s that?’ Harry asks.
‘Mad-eye they call him.’ Ron responds, but the Headmaster has moved on to the next announcement.
‘Tell me later, you’re gonna want to hear this.’ Harry nods to the front.
‘...to tell you that Hogwarts will this year be hosting the Tri-Wizard Tournament.’ Dumbledore’s words are followed by excited chattering.
‘So that’s the big secret!’ Ron says with wide eyes.
‘Yeah, Petra’s not too happy, due to the risk of death and serious injury and all that.’ Harry tells them. “A bunch of barely trained wizards posturing about their prowess, completing inane yet dangerous tasks, all for the sake of winning some stupid cup.” Was how she had actually put it.
‘Death?!’ Hermione hisses.
‘Well I’m definitely going for it!’ Fred whispers excitedly.
‘You won’t be able to. Age restriction.’ Harry tells him, but Severus is now glaring at him, and he realises that perhaps he shouldn’t be talking through the Headmaster’s speech. He flashes his dad a guilty smile, then tries to keep his mouth shut for the rest of it.
Fred and George, along with a few others are protesting Dumbledore’s confirmation of the age restriction, but the Headmaster quiets the dissent, then goes on to talk about the other schools who will be taking part.
Finally the announcements are over and Dumbledore dismisses the students to their dormitories. Harry cranes his neck to see where Petra is, but she seems to have disappeared, so he follows the rest of his house out of the hall.
‘What’s up with Ron?’ Harry asks Hermione as he catches up to her. Ron is a little way ahead, trudging along on his own.
Hermione grimaces slightly.
‘Draco was being a right arse on the train.’ She murmurs. ‘He asked after you.’ She glances at Harry.
‘It’s not like that Hermione I swear.’ Harry holds up his hands. ‘And you know Draco has to keep up pretences.’
‘Alright, but Malfoy was really laying it on thick.’ Hermione frowns. ‘He really knows how to hit people’s weak spots doesn’t he.’
‘Yeah.’ Harry grimaces. ‘He’s a bit too good at it.’
‘Maybe because he actually means most of it.’ Hermione mutters.
Harry’s not sure about that but he decides not to say anything.
‘He obviously knew all about this Tri-Wizard thing.’ Hermione is continuing. ‘And then you come along knowing all about it too. I guess Ron maybe feels a bit left out.’
‘You didn’t know about it either.’ Harry reasons.
‘Yes but it’s not just that.’
‘Alright. I’ll go talk to him.’ Harry winks and Hermione smiles back as he hurries off to catch up with his friend.
‘Hey Ron!’ Harry calls out. ‘What were you going to tell me about Mad-eye Moody?’
‘Oh, er, well my dad got called out early this morning.’ Ron says, already looking a bit cheerier. ‘Apparently Moody’s pretty paranoid, thought someone was trying to break in, but it was just a bunch of charmed dustbins gone haywire.’ He explains.
‘I heard he fought in the last war.’ Harry says.
‘Yeah.’ Ron agrees. ‘Dark wizard hunter…’ He pauses and looks at Harry cautiously.
Harry just flashes a wry smile back and changes the subject.
‘So what do you think about the tournament then?’
‘Could be fun.’ Ron nods. ‘Shame we can’t enter though.’
‘Are you mad? I’ve had enough near death experiences thanks.’ Harry huffs. ‘Besides, can you imagine how livid my parents would be?!’ He laughs. ‘You should have heard them lecturing me about this year. I’m basically already grounded, and I haven’t even done anything yet.’
Ron laughs a little and gives him a sympathetic pat on the back.
‘Well you did have to go and get yourself adopted by Snape, you’ve only got yourself to blame mate.’ He chortles.
‘No train, no Hogsmeade…’ Harry rolls his eyes.
‘Oh no! That sucks mate!’
‘Basically no everything – oh and no talking to strangers!’
‘They actually said that?!’
‘Well not in so many words, but that was the gist of it. Who knows who might be lurking amongst the students of Durmstrang and Beauxbatons?’ Harry jokes.
‘Well, you know, Durmstrang does have a bit of a reputation.’ Ron nods sagely. ‘For nurturing Dark Wizards and that.
‘Don’t be silly Ron!’ Hermione giggles, catching up to them. ‘It’s a school! Besides, you know who goes to Durmstrang…?’
‘No who?’ Ron frowns.
‘Viktor Krum.’ Hermione grins and wiggles her eyebrows.
‘He does not!’ Ron protests.
‘Yes he does.’
‘How do you know?’
Harry shakes his head and chortles to himself. Those two, always arguing about something. He follows his friends in through the portrait hole, and nags Ron for some of his sweets from the train.
~~
Petra ducks out of the hall at the first opportunity and heads down to Sev’s quarters to open a bottle of wine, whilst Severus goes to give his start of year speech in the Slytherin common room.
The Head of House gives his usual address with information on procedures and warnings about expected behaviour, as well as his welcome to the first years, before moving onto more pressing topics.
‘For anyone thinking of entering the Tri-Wizard Tournament, I have one piece of advice: do not.’ Severus glares at a couple of seventh years he knows might be tempted. ‘You are not a bunch of idiotic, thrill seeking, Gryffindors. Even those of you tempted by the promise of eternal glory may wish to ask yourselves if you recall the name of the previous winners of this competition? You are as likely to earn fame by dying as you are by winning. Anyone with a death wish is welcome to do something more productive by assisting me with first year potions class, you are likely to meet a cleaner end that way.’
There are a few chuckles around the room, but the smallest snakes, sitting cross legged on the carpet look terrified. Good. Perhaps they’ll take his instructions seriously for once.
‘Lastly, a word on the incident at the Quidditch World Cup.’ That brings the mood down like a lead weight. ‘I know that some of you were in attendance, when the attack occurred. I will simply remind you that within this House we are a family. We are all on the same side here. Whatever is happening outside of these walls, we leave our disputes and judgements at the door. Is that understood?’
‘Yes sir.’ Comes a murmur from around the room.
‘Good. Sign up sheets and meetings are on the board as usual. Any questions?’ Severus always asks at the end of his speech, but rarely has to take any. This evening a small hand rises out of the group of second years.
‘Yes, Miss Allen?’ He drawls.
‘Isn’t Professor Blishwick going to be our den mother this year?’ The girl asks.
This earns her a lot of groans, shushing, and elbowing.
‘Den mother?’ Severus raises a brow.
‘Bridget.’ Someone moans.
‘Oh Merlin.’
‘Such a Hufflepuff.’
Severus raises a hand to hush the muttering.
‘Professor Blishwick does not abandon those whom she cares about.’ He intones. ‘You may continue to go to her if you need anything at all, and I am sure she would be pleased to assist you.’ He casts his eyes amongst his students, then dismisses them.
~~
There is no sign of Petronella when he enters their quarters a few minutes later, but there is a bottle of wine open, and a glass left out for him. He takes a long sip and wanders through the apartment, eventually finding her in the bath with her head under the water.
‘Bit soon to drown yourself yet.’ He comments loudly.
Petra rises up out of the water, hair glistening, and looks at him.
‘I don’t know about that.’ She says. ‘At least I wouldn’t have to watch the bloody Tri-Wiz.’
‘You could at least wait until after the Yule ball, or I shall have to find a new dance partner.’ Severus deadpans.
‘You weren’t really serious about making me dance with you were you?’ She scowls.
‘Deadly.’ Severus states.
‘Well, I’m not promising to behave myself.’ She raises a brow. ‘You know what effect the Tango has on me.’
~~~~~