Snivellus

48

'I must go see Professor Dumbledore!' Darah grabbed her stuff and got up of her chair with urgency.

'No, no. Wait.' Lupin shook his hands at her making Darah stop in her tracks. 'Why don't I try a bit of legilimency first?'

Darah bit her lip. 'Oh alright.' And sat back down.

Lupin's eyes pierced her as if he could see right through and then he pointed his wand.

Suddenly flashes of memories came rushing through. First a toddler version
of Darah was running down a dimly lit street in Cokeworth, giggling to herself with Snape chasing shortly behind her, calling her name, he had a large cloak on and was cautiously looking around with a worried expression on his face.

Then it faded into Darah sat under the sorting hat and Snape's discreet nod of approval.

Finally, it faded again and this time it was a mixture of many memories in one. Screaming, crying, laughing, shouting, boredom. Everything flooded through.

Lupin's office span back into focus and Darah had to re-adjust her vision to concentrate properly.

Lupin shook his head vigorously. 'Sorry, never really mastered legilimency.' He apologised. 'But the way those last memories flooded together suggests something's been tampered with.' He says slowly and carefully, afraid of what Darah's reaction might be.

'That settles it, I'm seeing the Headmaster!' She announced firmly and got off her chair to leave again before turning around to face Lupin with an expression or realisation. 'You have to pretend you saw none of that my father would kill me-'

'He already knows I know.' Lupin assured her kindly, nodding.

'Wha-' Darah started then remembered she had been obliviated. 'Oh right. So that's why he messed up my memory?'

Lupin shrugged. 'Most likely. I'm sorry Darah.'

Darah gulped and finally started to head towards Dumbledore's office.

***

'Are you very positive that your father has used the memory wiping charm on you?' Dumbledore asked calmly.

'Yes, can't you dive into my mind and see?' She retorted stubbornly.

He sighed and took off his half moon glasses, rubbing his eyes. 'Once the oblivate spell has been used, I'm afraid it is impossible to undo it.'

'There has to be a way.' Darah tried to keep the worry out of her voice but you could hear a definite tremble as she spoke.

'I'm very sorry, Miss Snape. If your father has decided to use this spell, it must have been for a good reason.' He tried to reason with her which just made Darah more angry and upset.

'You don't get it. Father will do anything to keep his reputation.'
'I never expected it to come to this though.' She said quietly to herself.

'Miss Snape, the only way to solve this would be to talk to the person who did it.'

Darah sniffled. 'I- I can't. I don't think I can bare to look at him anymore.'

Dumbledore put his glasses back on and looked her straight in the eye. 'He is your father. He knows you better than anyone else, there is no one I trust more than Severus.'

'Do you know who my real mother is then?' She said emptily.

Dumbledore sighed. 'I cannot deny nor confirm.'

Darah got off her chair to leave. 'Thank you for your time.'

***

She entered the Slytherin common room to find Draco sat alone, studying the chess board. He looked at her with no emotion and turned back to the chess.

Darah sighed. 'Draco.'

He remained silent, resting his chin on his hand.

She walked over to him. 'Draco. Were we... are we you know? A thing?' She asked hesitantly.

He looked up at her with an expression that was too hard to read.

'We were.'

She sat down on the chair opposite him. 'I'm sorry. I didn't know... I mean I- I knew but I-' she struggled to find a way to explain it.

'It's fine. I think Professor Snape did something to your thoughts.' He spoke kindly and a little timidly.

'How- how do you know? Wait do you know about...' she gasped.

'About what? He narrowed her eyes at her. 'Is there something you know that I don't?'

'N-no, I meant Snape erasing my mind.' She said quickly.

Luckily Draco didn't push her any further. 'Yeah, I confronted him after I found your Gryffindor friends.'

'I- I'm not friends with them?'

Draco raised an eyebrow. 'You're not?'

'Unless... I used to be... or I mean I am and I didn't know it.' Tears began to form in her eyes.

'Hey, D, it's alright.' Draco cautiously put his hand on her shoulder which she didn't slap away this time and she broke down into streams of tears.

'I don't know how much of my life that I've... forgotten. It's not like I haven't lived it... it's just not there.' Her voice was hollow as she spoke in between sobs.

Draco moved his hand over to her cheek and massaged it. 'We'll get your memory back, D.'

'Dumbledore said it was impossible.' She breathed, shaking her head.

Draco frowned and bowed his head and let her cry for a minute. 'We were really close.' He said quietly.

Darah looked at him with sorrow in her eyes. 'Have we... kissed?'

Draco smiled kindly. 'Yeah. A little.' He shrugged modestly.

Darah gave a shy laugh then stopped. 'Have we... you know... done anything else?'

Draco laughed. 'No, but if you're up for it we-'

'Ok, ok that's enough.' She shook her hands out at him, half laughing half cringing. 'What else happened?'

'Well, you and Pansy aren't friends but you used to be really close-'

'Yeah I remember our relationship.'

He though for a while. 'Do you remember last summer?'

Darah looked puzzled.

'You came to Malfoy Manner for the party.'

'Um... wait. Yes I remember it but it's blurry.' She rubbed her head.

'Dammit.' Draco muttered angrily. 'What is Snape's problem with you?!' He shouted making Darah flinch.

'There's stuff I can't explain, stuff that he knows.' She said quietly.

'Why?' He grabbed her hands and squeezed them. 'You can tell me.'

'I'm sorry.' She broke eye contact. 'I can't.'

Draco let go. 'Are you seeing him?!'

Darah looked perplexed, her eyes grey wide and her mouth dropped open slightly in shock.

'That's why at the party you didn't want him to see you and why you get the grades in potions and you're always staying behind or seeing him in private.' He breathed, leaning back on his chair.

'Draco you've got it all wrong-'

'No. Don't even talk to me.' He said sternly and got up to leave. 'Freak.'