"A petting zoo?" dad said, raising his eyebrows. "Yes. She turned my classroom into a petting zoo!" Snape exclaimed. I slumped down in the chair, watching them argue. After Snape complained to Dumbledore about what an instigator I've been, he insisted on calling my father. 20 minutes later, dad was standing in Dumbledore's office. "How do you know it was her?" dad asked. "You must be joking! She's your daughter!" he said. I laughed and dad shot me a look. "Did you do it, Miss Lupin-Black?" Dumbledore asked. "Yup, pretty funny if you ask me." I said. Dad smirked at me. "She has been definiant, disrespectful, and distracting all year!" Snape said. "You think using big words makes you seem smart. Is that how you convinced Dumbledore to give you my dad's job!" I yelled. "See! She has done nothing but cause trouble all because you got fired!" Snape said to dad. "Oh you prick!" I said, standing up. "Annabelle!" dad said sharply. I looked at him. "Snape is your teacher. You need to show him respect." he said. I scoffed. "You want me to show Snivelly respect?" I said. Snape glared at him. "Thanks for teaching her that." he said. Dad rolled his eyes. "Annabelle, I know me and Sirius told you lots of stories. But we've grown up. And Severus is a part of the Order-" he started. "Are you sure?" I snapped. They paused. "What does that mean?" Dad asked. Snape stared at me. "Nothing." I mumbled. "Annabelle, he's a professor. Whether you like him or not doesn't matter. You will show him respect and behave in class. Do you understand?" he asked. "Fine." I grumbled. "Now apologize." he said. I looked at Snape. "I'm sorry for turning your classroom into a petting zoo, Snivellus." I said. "Annabelle!" Dad said. "Sorry, Professor Snivellus." I said. Dad groaned. "Annabelle, please," he said. I sighed. "Professor Snape." I mumbled. "Severus, I apologize. Truly. She's been through a lot." he said. I scoffed. "That has nothing to do with this." I said. Snape just nodded. "I understand. She'll have detention for a week." he said. Dad shook his hand and then Dumbledores. "Come on, Annabelle. I'll walk you to class." dad said. He led me out and we walked down the halls. "Why did you side with that snake?" I said. "He's a professor." he said. "He's a backstabbing coward." I said. "Annabelle, I told him to take the job." he said. I stopped and looked at him. "Are you mad?!" I exclaimed. "Dumbledore offered it to me but I knew the Ministry would fight him on it. So instead of bringing in someone new, I told him to offer it to Snape." he said. "Why?" I asked. "There's a lot going on right now, things even you don't know. It's just easier." he said. I sighed. "It was still funny." I mumbled. He chuckled. "It was. Sirius would have been proud." he said. I smiled. "Thanks dad." I said. He nodded and I hugged. "Why don't we stop by the Great Hall. I'm sure the students would love to see you." I said. "Alright, just a few minutes." he said. When we walked in, students from every house swarmed around. They told him how much they missed him and they told him how funny my prank was. He smiled and talked to everyone. He looked the happiest he's looked in a while. I know dad misses being a teacher. Once all the students said hello, dad and I said goodbye. "I'll see you in a few weeks for Christmas breaks." he said. "I love you, dad." I said, hugging him again. Then he left.
2 WEEKS LATER...
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"Smoke break?" Theo asked. I was sitting in the library, when he approached me. I shrugged. "Sure." I said. We walked outside and sat on a bench. The grass was snowy and I could see my breath. "So Belle, Pans told me you're sober." he said. I shrugged again. "Are you?" he asked. "I guess." I said. "When's the last time you had a drink?" he asked. I paused and thought about it. "The night before Enzo and I went to Diagon Alley." I said. He stared at me. "But that was months ago." he said. I nodded. "I don't understand." he said. I looked at him with confusion. "You stopped drinking, you're smoking less, you're going to parties, you're making jokes and pulling pranks." he said. "So?" I said. "You're the old Annabelle." he said. I looked down and my cheeks burned. "I thought you gave up. I thought- I just- you gave me an out." he said, his voice shaky and uneven. I looked up. "Theo, I'm sorry. It's not what you think." I said. "I know." he said. "What do you-" I started. "I know why. It's because of Draco." he said. My face fell. "Yeah, our deal. I have to-" I started. "No, don't lie to me. It's because-" he started. "Hey babe." We looked up and Astoria was walking over. I quickly looked down, taking another inhale of smoke. She kissed him and smiled. "Hi Annabelle," she said. I smiled. "Hi Astoria." I said. "What are you guys doing out here? It's freezing." she said. "Flich gets pissy about the smoke." Theo said. She nodded. "I should go." I said quickly. "Wait, Belle-" he started. "I forgot I told Harry I'd go to Hogsmeade with him. I'm sorry. See you guys later." I said. Astoria waved. Then I walked back into the castle to meet Harry, Ron and Hermione.
