Begin Again (Severus Snape/OC Love Story)

Chapter Seven: Join or Die

        For the next three weeks, I devoted myself to spending a considerable amount of time on homework and studying. The classes at Hogwarts were proving to be a bit more difficult than what I was accustomed to at Ilvermorny, but that likely had a lot to do with being on a N.E.W.T.-level, rather than the quality of the school. Regardless, I was enjoying the challenge.

Snape's class in particular was highly demanding. He'd been coolly indifferent towards me since that first day, barely ever so much as glancing in my direction. When he did pay me any notice, he treated me with as much displeasure as he had the rest of the Gryffindors. Even so, I felt myself looking forward to his classes, peculiarly longing to simply be in his presence. I'd grown much more adept at secretly studying his quirks and mannerisms.

Outside of attending courses and completing tasks for my courses, I'd divided what little free time I had left between the Hufflepuffs and Ginny, who was splitting her time between me and Dean Thomas, who, to her absolute delight, she'd been growing increasingly close to. Meanwhile, I was continuing to get to know Ernie – which Ginny also found rather exciting.

"Tonight, Dean's going to help me practice for Quidditch! It's quite sweet of him, seeing as he doesn't even play Quidditch," Ginny was saying elatedly at breakfast one morning. "Actually, I don't think I've asked you – were you on a team at your old school? Tryouts are this weekend, you know."

"Nah, I'm not such a great flyer. I love watching the matches though, and it'll be even better getting to cheer for someone I know on the team," I said, giving her an appeasing smile.

"I appreciate your confidence," she said with a laugh.

The morning post had just begun to trickle in, parcels and letters falling sporadically onto the tables. For the first few days of term, I would watch with anticipation as the owls flew in, hoping to spot my tawny little pet, but by now I'd become used to the daily disappointment and no longer bothered to pay much attention to the onslaught. Using one of the school's owls, I'd exchanged a few boring letters with mom and dad, but otherwise never received any mail.

I was midway through my cheesy bacon casserole when, two seats down from me, an unsuspecting student yelped in agitated surprise as a cinnamon-colored owl dropped a package straight down onto her morning meal, splattering bits of greasy breakfast all over her face and robes. I chuckled lightly, but was gladly cut off by an especially familiar, musical hoot.

"Milo!" I yelled, jumping up to hold my arm out for my boy. He landed gracefully, curling his claws around my wrist, and immediately began rubbing his head along my chin in adoration, hooting so happily it almost sounded like purring.

"How are you, buddy? You have no idea how happy I am to see you!" I said, sitting back down. Milo bounced onto the table, knocking a fork onto the floor with a clang.

Ginny reached across my breakfast to scratch Milo on the chin. "What a beautiful owl!" she said. He tilted his head, clearly enjoying the attention. After basking in a few scratches, he held out his foot, urging me to take the small scroll that he had been carrying.

"Don't worry; next time I send a letter to America, I'm using a school owl. That was way too long for you to be away from me," I said as I gingerly untied the letter, freeing his leg. Milo gave me an affirmatory hoot, as if to say he agreed with this idea.

"You can find Hogwarts' owlery on your own, I'm sure. Poor baby, you must be exhausted! Why don't you go have a rest for the day, then come find me in the Gryffindor tower tonight? I've got something special for you," I said lovingly, patting his head. He chirped one last time, then flew off to follow the other owls to their resting place.