𝙿𝚞𝚖𝚙𝚔𝚒𝚗 𝙿𝚊𝚜𝚝𝚒𝚎𝚜 - 𝑓𝑟𝑒𝑑 𝑤𝑒𝑎𝑠𝑙𝑒𝑦 | ✔︎

Chapter 26

Natasha hadn't touched the set of robes she had worn during the second tournament until the day of the prank. After successfully making every classroom covered in paint that was enchanted to stay on for a week, she had noticed a large splotch of green splattered across her robes, which she detested.

Like her father, she had a strong hatred for the colour green, as Slytherin students regularly jeered at her for having 'blood-traitor' friends, a criminal for a father, and a muggle-born mother.

Many times, Fred and George had had to physically restrain her before she lashed out at those students, but her hatred for the colour green was something no one could change.

So, she buried the ruined robes under her bed and took out the other set from her trunk, her hands still shaking slightly at the memory of drowning. She fumbled with the pockets to see if there was any spare change in there for her next Hogsmeade trip but was surprised when she only found a delicately rolled up piece of parchment, addressed to her.

There was only a time and place written on it in what looked to be rushed handwriting, but Natasha knew from instinct that the note was enchanted to have the time changed upon opening the note.

It was after curfew, but the time clearly said 10 o'clock, down in Professor Snape's office. Natasha looked around the dorm, noticing that each girl was sound asleep, the only noise coming from the soft snores of Felicity.

The castle was cold at this time of night, so Natasha made sure to wear her knitted socks from Molly before putting her slippers on. She had enchanted her pyjamas to be warm at all times, so she felt completely toasty as she slipped down the staircase and tiptoed out of the Gryffindor tower.

Elizabeth sat in her portrait as Natasha slipped out, but she knew better than to ask the girl where she was going. Natasha had a deep respect for all of the portraits of Hogwarts, so in return, many covered for her when she planned pranks or snuck out.

She expertly snuck through the halls, her tiny feet proving useful in not creating a sound against the cold stone floors. She had her wand in her hand just in case she ran into any teachers, but luckily, she only passed Professor Trelawney, who was half-asleep anyways.

The dungeons of Hogwarts were cold, gloomy, and despised by anyone who wasn't a Slytherin. Sure, further down the cold corridor, the kitchens and Hufflepuff common room radiated warmth and joy, but the Slytherin side brought chills to Natasha, even though she had charmed her pyjamas.

She didn't bother knocking, knowing full well that whoever had sent the note would be expecting her.

"Hello?" she called out, her voice echoing across the cold room. She pulled her dressing gown closer to her, and stepped further inside, until a dark silhouette entered her eyesight.

"Professor?" she asked confused, as her potions master sent a flame to the fireplace, warming the room up.

"I'm sorry for the discretion Miss Black, though I do admit it took you rather long to find that note," Severus said, taking a seat in his chair behind the dark mahogany desk. Natasha followed and quickly charmed the seat to stay warm before sitting down the way her mother had taught her to as a young girl – elegant and poised.

Severus noticed and clasped his hands, placing them gently on the desk. "There's no need to be afraid Miss Black, I know your mother taught you the same things her mother taught her, about how to sit when you feel nervous."

Natasha's face remained stone-like, though on the inside, her mind was whirring with questions about how her professor knew about that. She knew he was her mother's age, and that they had gone to school together, but Aurelia had never mentioned Severus.

"How do you know Professor? It's a-"

"-family thing," finished Severus. "I'm well aware Miss Black. And yet my father knew because his sister had taught him in case, he ever had a daughter."

Natasha looked into his eyes and saw nothing but honesty pooling in the black orbs. "Your aunt?" she asked, and Severus nodded, his cold demeanour melting away to reveal an honest man.

"My father was a muggle, and his sister was also. Unlike my father however, she married a muggle man, called Atticus Hope," he finished, and realisation hit Natasha at the surname.

"Tha-that's my grandfather's name, the one who hates me," she whispered, sinking into the chair. A single tear rolled down her cheek at the mention of her grandfather, who not once had tried to see his granddaughter, obsessed with the thought that Aurelia, Sirius and Natasha were not normal.

"I never did like Atticus, and Iris was no better, picking on me whenever I visited Lia," he sighed, his hands becoming cramped from high tight he was holding them.

"Lia?" Natasha whispered, her voice now no louder than a midday breeze.

"Yes Miss Black. My cousin, Aurelia." Natasha's face contorted as she thought, and her blue eyes opened once again a few moments later.

"You're my cousin?" she murmured quietly, no tone in her voice. She was doing an Aurelia, shutting herself down, and Severus quickly walked around the desk, taking one of Natasha's small hands in his.

"Natasha, listen to me. Don't shut down, come on, just breathe," he said, repeating the words he used to say to Aurelia whenever she shut down. Natasha shook her head to shake off her thoughts and looked down at the hands gently encasing hers.

Severus breathed a sigh of relief. "Technically Miss Black, we are second cousins, though only Aurelia knew, not even Dumbledore knew until I told him in your first year," he muttered, and Natasha broke into a small smile, giving a quiet laugh.

"So, you and mother were close then?" she asked, and Severus nodded, removing his hands to tuck them inside his robes as he always did.

"Lia and I were stuck like glue during our childhood, and even during school when we were sorted into two different houses, we would meet in the library all the time, along with Lily." His voice broke slightly mentioning Natasha's godmother's name, and Natasha glanced up at him sympathetically.

"So, how'd you react when she got with my dad then?" Natasha cautiously asked, and Severus scoffed.

"How my two best friends got with the two Gryffindors is partially my fault, as I pushed Lily away and Aurelia stuck by her. But even though I loathe your father, he treated Lia with such kindness that her own parents could not provide," he said quietly, remembering the time when Aurelia told him she was pregnant.

For the next hour, the Gryffindor and potions master talked quietly, both grateful for the company they provided. Severus had made Natasha swear not to tell her father until he did, and Natasha agreed, promising to keep her relation to Severus a secret.

"So, do I call you cousin or uncle, professor?" Natasha asked as she opened the door to leave.

"Cousin sounds awful," Severus replied, crinkling his nose. "You can call me Uncle Sev."