Snivellus

55

Darah eyed Rose closely as she sat curled up, rocking gently back at forth on the sofa, her eyes pierced.

'I need a word with you.' Draco came into the room, staring at Rose.

'Draco! She is in shock.' Narcissa followed along closely behind, shooting him a harsh look.

Rose did not acknowledge the world around her for about an hour until she finally came out of the room for a drink, only slightly shivering now.

She nodded to Darah, who was sat in the kitchen whilst Draco was in the other room, discussing private things with his parents.
'W-water.' Her voice quivered as she struggled to reach for the tap.

Darah got up off her chair immediately and ran to the sink to fill Rose's glass and handed it to her.

Rose opened her mouth to speak back but her voice was choked so she give a small smile instead before leaving the room again.

Crack.

'Pooky!' Darah whispered loudly.

'Master Snape has sent me to take you home.' He croaked.

'What? No!' Darah retorted, still keeping her voice low but sharp.

'I'm sorry, Miss...' he grabbed his arm out to Darah who stumbled back, just out of his grasp.

'Pooky! I'm telling you to stop!' She warned him, blowing the hair out of her eyes.

'I'm sorry. He said no taking orders from you.' Pooky edged closer still as Darah scrambled back.

'Go home, tell him I'm safe. I'm safer here with the Malfoys than in Cokesworth with him.' She didn't mean for it to sound harsh but it did.

'I'm sorry, Miss Snape.' He bowed his head and clicked his fingers. Just as Darah was being whisked away she saw Draco come round the corner. She gave him a sorrowful smile; there was nothing more she could do as she was taken back home against her will.

She landed in the living room back at her house.

'Father!' She shouted loudly and somewhat aggressively.

Snape magically appeared in front of her, glaring down into her eyes.

'What on earth do you-'

'Come, Darah.' He spoke solemnly.

Her anger fell. Then she noticed it: the dark rings around his eyes, the even greasier than normal hair and long, hollow face.

She followed behind him silently, he took her down to the potion storage room in the basement.

They stood for a minute, just staring at each other. Then Darah ran forwards and pulled her dad into a tight hug, to which he did the same back.

'He said it was the dark mark, Dad.' She whispered, referring to what Lucius was explaining on his return.

'There is nothing to fear here, with me, you must know that Darah.' He looked deep into her eyes.

She nodded.

A faint knocking came from upstairs. Snape's head adjusted to the sound, as fast as lightening. He glided up the stairs, his cape flowing behind him.

Darah stayed quiet down in the basement, trying to listen to see what was happening. She heard the front door swing open followed by angry muttering. A visitor.

She could just about make out what the voices were saying... she just didn't know who the other voice belonged to, presuming it was only one person who had entered the house.

'You fool.' Snape dragged out warningly.

'I didn't realise your daughter was in the danger zone!' The other voice came back angrily yet something about it was almost lazy and uncaring.

'I regret agreeing to this.' Snape spat. 'I should expose you.'

'Now, now Severus.' The second voice had calmed down a little now, a hint of nerve in his speech. 'It had to be done. Finally we can make a comeback, for him.'

Snape's face looked at the man with an expression of disgust. He leant in close to his face, so close you could smell his words. 'And you better hope it worked, for you and everyone you love's sake.'

'It was your choice to send your daughter to my house Severus.' The other man spat.

Snape tutted. 'With regret.'

The man laughed hollowly. 'Ah, Severus. Soon you'll come to realise you will always be apart of the dark side.' He opened the front door to leave before Snape said his final words.

'You will not be finding my daughter anywhere near your house again.'

'Is that why she was at the party last year?' He raised his eyebrow and frowned smugly before walking off, down the street, away from the house proudly.

Snape hurried back down the stairs to where Darah stood still, listening. She knew the voice. It belonged to Lucius Malfoy.

'Darah?' Snape entered the room.

'What were you talking about to Lucius Malfoy?' She crossed her arms defiantly.

Snape did not answer.

'Sounded like you knew about the riot at the World Cup?'

Still, Snape did not answer.

'Come on, father. I'm giving you a chance to explain. Please.' She begged him genuinely.

Snape bit his lip. 'It's hard to explain, my girl.' He bent down to Darah's level and put his hand on her shoulder.

Her lips drooped as she tried to hold back tears.

'I did not know about the attack. I only knew about a couple of death eaters that would be there.' He said eventually. 'I didn't know there was going to be so many, or what they wanted to do.'

'But you still knew?'

'No, no.' He spoke softly. 'I wanted you to have a good time. I thought I should give you more freedom, of course I was wrong.' He looked away.

'But I did have fun. Thank you.' She smiled weakly. 'I guess you'll never let me near Draco again then?'

'Obviously.' He tried to stay serious but couldn't help but grin when saying that.

'Dad? Do you know someone called Rose?'

'I know no one of such name. Where have you heard of them from?'

'She's one of the Malfoy's relatives. Some kind of cousin or something.'

Snape raised an eyebrow and there was a glint of something behind his eyes. 'No idea.'

'Well she warned us about the attack. I think she's one of them and- and I think they want Draco to join them too.'