Knowledge is Power

Chapter 20

"Should I get Nightshade back now," Mag asked, looking over at the large white owl where he sat on the back of Severus's chair.
//Um, about that,// Nightshade said, turning his head to look at her out of one eye.
//Prof offered to take me to get some deli turkey to make up for making me drink that nasty shit yesterday. So how about I get back with you tomorrow. Cause after we've gone out it'll be harder for him to get me back to you today without people noticing.//

//Alright,// Mag thought back with a nod.
It was good for Severus and Nightshade to continue getting to know each other.

"See you later, then," she said aloud, speaking to Nightshade as well as Severus.

"Indeed...And thank you again for thinking of me and allowing me to read these books," Severus said and she nodded again before leaving his office.

//Cool, can we go get the turkey now,// Nightshade asked eagerly.
//Sure, if it makes you that happy,// Severus said, rising from his chair.
//It allows us to continue testing out the chameleon charms anyway. One can never be too cautious.//

//Hey I think that Umbridge cow is crazy,// Nightshade remarked randomly as they headed out of the school.
He peered about from where he sat on Severus's shoulder.
//She definitely seems to have issues,// Severus replied dryly.
//It seems to be shaping up to be another GRAND year.//

//Every defense professor sucks for one reason or other,// Nightshade complained.
Severus gave a slight nod, careful not to make any obvious gesture that would cause him to look insane as there was no one else to be seen interacting with him.
//I've often wondered if Albus just hires people he doesn't really care about because he knows they will have trouble to some degree or other filling that job,// Severus speculated.
//He'd not admit it so I've never bothered to ask.//

//Interesting,// Nightshade commented thoughtfully.

It felt odd, but in a disconcertingly pleasant way, to share his thoughts and opinions with someone else in such a companionable if unusual setting. Being guarded and hating most everyone came far more naturally to him, but as the owl was much the same, perhaps that was the reason Severus felt so free with him. Most people were stupid or annoying or both and he simply didn't relate to them.

//Yep, humans are just like owls I guess,// Nightshade said.
//Tard Babies.//

//Why are you reading my thoughts when I'm not directly projecting them to you,// Severus asked, not really minding and idly wondering why.

//Because your thoughts are interesting and funny.//

//I can't read yours when you're not projecting them,// Severus shared after a moment of trying to do just that.
//Are you blocking?//
However the owl was doing it didn't feel particularly like a magical block. His mind was just a blank wall to Severus's probing, or to others, it may just be something one simply wouldn't notice. It was interesting.

//Maybe but it's unintentional because I don't really know how. I'm cool with people not being able to get into my head though,// Nightshade said.
//I mean if it's you or Mags I don't mind, but if anyone else could, they'd see I'm not an ordinary tard owl and we can't be having that fucking shit at all!//

Severus decided to walk to a nearby deli rather than apparating. The weather was nice and an evening walk made for pleasant exercise.

//Wanna know another secret,// Nightshade asked.

//Of course.//

//I can heal a little. Like scrapes and all, and I can give people headaches, which is either because of my ability with mind stuff or it's a reversal of healing which is also healing if you think about it. I mean one has to know a thing to understand how to apply the reversal.//

//That's deep,// Severus commented with a nod of understanding.
//Dude I can be deep when I wanna be,// the owl protested, but Severus got the feeling he was only half pretending to be offended.

//I didn't say you weren't obviously exceedingly intelligent,// Severus told him.
//Its just that I've not seen much depth. Does Magritte know that you can heal and give people headaches?//

//Yeah. I told her when I figured it out. I discovered the giving people headaches ability first when loud tard prats at school made me want to hurt them. Initially I started out by flying past and...accidentally scratching their tender wittle flesh with my claws. Mag got worried that their would be trouble so she made me stop. I had to figure out another way so tried the headache method out of pure desperation. They were making my head ache so I thought...wouldn't it be awesome if I could return the favor. I just put a bit of mental pressure on the inside of their head and there it is, a nice headache,// he explained happily.
//Not as fun as when I make them think they're going mad and hearing voices, but it'll do.//

//You do what?// Severus laughed out loud.
They were about to enter the deli, and he glanced around to make sure no one had noticed him laughing at seemingly nothing. As no one was staring at him he took it as a good sign and proceeded inside.

//Yeah I just think talk to them like I do to you, but I tell them they're going apeshit and that this little episode is just the start of all the shit that's going to start happening in their mind. They usually cry and freak out, which is sweet. They don't tell because they don't want people to know they think they're going insane so Mags hasn't made me stop yet. I leave them alone after one good session, cause maintaining that shit would get boring so...no real harm done.//

Severus wanted to laugh again, but as they were inside he sighed instead.
//How much turkey do you want,// he asked.

//You are the absolute fucking best,// the owl exclaimed happily.
//Mags never lets me have as much as I want. She thinks I'll get fat but it's just turkey and that isn't at all fattening.//

//So how much do you want,// Severus asked again.

//A pound please. More than that and it may go bad before I can eat it.//

Severus ordered a pound of turkey meat for Nightshade and a sandwich for himself with turkey and fresh vegetables. The service was prompt and soon they were ready to leave, Severus carrying a brown paper parcel in one hand that held their food. As they headed back toward Hogwarts, Nightshade kept casting eager loving glances at the brown paper wrapping.

//So how did you discover your healing ability,// Severus asked after a few moments of companionable silence.

//I accidentally scratched Mag's arm once when I was landing and I wanted to fix it so tried and it worked. I just wanted the cut to close. When her mum fractured her toe by dropping books onto it, though, I couldn't fix that but I really did try. So in that I'm a bit limited.//

//Still,// Severus said.
//That's rather impressive.//

When they got back to Hogwarts, they went directly to Severus's office and enjoyed their respective turkey meals. Nightshade tore happily into his thinly sliced deli turkey making sounds of appreciation deep in the back of his throat. When he was finished, he leaned back on Severus's desk, his back against a pile of books, and let out a deep sigh.

//I am so goddamn full!//

Severus laughed.
//And ridiculous! Don't forget that bit.//