Finding Father

Chapter 7- Unexpected News

Thursday passed slowly in anticipation of what would come about Friday night in my meeting with Professor Snape. Potions was first on Thursday, and he didn't speak a word to me the whole of class. He avoided eye contact as I set my little potions vial on his desk for review. I left the classroom wondering what in Merlin's name was up with him.

One of our daytime Astrology classes was next, we reviewed the positions of the stars on our maps, and labeled constellations. I was so thankful when class was over, the work was incredibly boring. Macy and I ended up doodling on our maps, making extra shapes within the stars and leaving the maps cluttered with our drawings.

History of Magic was almost worse, Professor Binns drawled on about the Giants War of 1202 AD. I fell asleep, not that he noticed.

After lunch was double Transfiguration, where I was finally able to turn a stick into a quill. McGonagall was quite happy, and I earned five points for Ravenclaw.

The afternoon dragged on with homework and I went to bed early just so the day would be over. I woke up early, though, and was one of the first at breakfast. Unlike yesterday, Friday sped by. Even Potions and Astrology were bearable, although Macy and I got in trouble for our doodling. Snape avoided me in Potions again, something he couldn't do when I arrived at his office in a few hours. I couldn't wait to unravel his strange behavior.

After dinner I walked to Snape's office, arriving at eight o'clock sharp. I had seen him leave the Great Hall half of an hour ago, so I knew he was here. I knocked timidly on the door, and then again a bit harder. It swung open in front of me, revealing Snape at his desk.

"Sit." The first word he'd said to me in three days. I obeyed quietly, taking a seat in the chair before his desk. I dared to speak

"Good evening, Professor." He surprised me, replying in a tense voice,

"Good evening, Miss Carter."

"Why did you ask me to come, Sir?"

"There was something we needed to discuss."

"Yes, Professor?"

"I'm not entirely sure how to approach the subject, Miss Carter," he says, sounding slightly terrified. He straightens up in his chair, attempting to look like he knows what he's doing.

I stare at him, mystified. What could be so important that Snape is scared to talk about it?

"I believe that your mother. . . Rachel. . . Carter, correct?" I nod.

"Yes, professor, that's her."

"Yes. . . I believe that she never told you of your father, yes?" I frown.

"That's what you want to talk about, Professor? I can't tell you anything about him, all Mum ever told me was that he was a Slytherin, and that was before I came here last week."

"I was correct, then, in assuming that you know nothing about him, Miss Carter."

"So do you, Professor Snape?" I ask, slightly annoyed

"Change your tone," he says angrily. He shifts in his chair awkwardly, his hands clasped so tightly on the desk that his knuckles are white.

"I can tell you more about your father than anyone, because I am him."

"What? What do you mean?" I ask, not sure what I just heard.

"I. Am. Your. Father," he says, his eyes avoiding me. He stares pointedly at his quill and ink in front of him.

Snape glances up at me nervously, trying to see what my reaction is. I just stare at him. The point got across the second time. Finally something crosses my mind, and I don't hesitate to speak it.

"Why did you leave my Mum?" I ask quietly. He looks at me, unsure of how to respond. Then he says,

"Because I felt at the time I had no other choice."

"Why?"

"Is now really the time to get into all of this, Miss Carter?"

"Yes, it is. Tell me everything."

"That's more than we could discuss tonight. At the time I was young, poor, and my job was not. . . not ideal for a father. I spent only one night with your mother, and she took me by surprise with the news. I simply kicked her out of my house and I'm not proud of that. I never saw her after that, we both continued on with our life. I only received a note with your name on the day of your birth, a note which I never replied too."

"Why didn't you write back? Or do anything?"

"Because I wanted nothing to do with you or your mother, it was as simple as that."

"And now, Professor? Why tell me now? Why bring yourself back into our life?"

"Because it was killing me, having you walk into class, seeing you at dinner, or anything else, knowing who you were and you not knowing anything."

"And how is this going to change things, you being my father?" I ask, worried. "I mean, you're my professor. Won't this make things a bit complicated?"

"I think it would be best for us both to proceed on as normal. Keep it our secret."

"You're ashamed of me!" I realize. "You don't want anyone to know!"

"That is not true," he says loudly. I shake my head.

"Yes, it is. You're afraid of how this will portray you to others. You never wanted me, and only told me all of this because of guilt. And now, how is this going to make you look, nasty Professor Snape, a father."

"I will not tolerate this rudeness," Snape hisses at me. "You are wrong." I jump from my chair, beginning to tear up, the whole situation finally dawning on me.

"I can't believe you," I whisper bitterly, running from the room and leaving Snape alone.

I rush towards the Ravenclaw dorms, but I'm stopped suddenly as I run into someone. I look up at Professor McGonagall. I gasp.

"I- I'm so sorry ma'am, I-"

"What on earth are you doing, child. Why are you crying?" she asks me quickly.

"I- I was at Professor Snape's office, a- and we were talking, and I'm just going to bed, and. . ." She cuts me off.

"Professor Snape, that explains plenty." She sighs. "Come back to my office, come have a biscuit, Miss Carter."

I nod through my sobs, and we walk quietly to her office. Her desk has a small tin sitting on it, she takes off the lid and I take a biscuit from inside. I try a bite, and it's very good.

She sits me down in front of her desk, and moves to the other side.

"How are you liking Hogwarts, my dear?" McGonagall asks.

"I- I love it here," I reply, my mouth full of biscuit.

"Good. . . May I ask what you were discussing with Professor Snape, or is that a bit of a touchy topic at the moment?"

"I'd rather not right now, Professor," I say slowly.

"Understandable. You'd best be off to bed now, Miss Carter."

"Yes, Professor. Goodnight."

"Goodnight, dear."

I make my way back to the common room, I avoid talking to anyone on my way to the dorms, and I quickly fall into bed. Despite being exhausted, I'm awake for several hours, thinking.

Tonight definitely did not go how I expected at all.