Up and Down

Parent and Guardian

Anna walks into the familiar office. The last time she was here, she was going through Fig's belongings in search of a Polyjuice potion.

Things seem to be much simpler at the time. Even though the shadow of death and uncertainty loomed over them, in hindsight... it was not that bad at all...

At least then she had a plan. Now... she is flailing and lost without one, trying to ride out the storm.

The door closes behind her at a flick of Alice's wand.

"Professor, what did you want to-"

"What were you thinking?!"

She flinches at the sharpness of her tone. Tears she has been holding back all day make her vision swim. Anna bites hard on the inside of her cheek, her stomach dropping.

"Showing off your tie is one thing, but this! Having amorous relations before marriage is already bad enough, but out in the open, with two men at once?!"

Her ears are ringing, her cheeks burn and her heart is tearing itself to pieces, each word hitting her like a slap to the face.

"Mother..." her voice is choking, pleading, trembling, reaching for something, anything. Any shred of affection her mother might have had left for her.

"I had hoped to find a decent young lady. But this is outrageous!"

Tears finally spill down her cheeks as she closes her stinging eyes.

"And now the entire school knows about this. Do you even realise what is going to happen now?! I am ashamed-"

Something breaks inside of her. Shatters to pieces.

The space around her warps, pushing Alice away as the floor ripples in a fluid wave, Anna's feet an epicentre of the change.

"You do not have the right to speak to me like this!!" Her scream rings out in the sparsely furnished office, bouncing off the walls, "you abandoned me! You don't get to come back when it's convenient for you and scold me about what is right and wrong!!"

She turns on her heel, her robes swishing. Floorboards rise and bend like angry snakes in her wake and swirl up, forming vines covered in wicked thorns, blocking Alice's way.

"Good day, professor."

Anna storms out, slamming the door behind her and walks out hastily, barely able to find her way through the haze of tears.

The bells toll, announcing the next class. She hurtles into the Potions classroom right as Sharp exits his office. He doesn't comment on her appearance which must be an absolute mess.

She drops her bag next to Sebastian and gets out her things.

"Anna..." His voice is soft, concerned, but she isn't looking at him. Even if she did, she wouldn't be able to see.

"I'm fine," her voice creaks, betraying her and she is sure he can see the shiny tear streaks on her face.

"Today we are covering Veritaserum, the most potent truth potion there is. Can anyone care to list the most important ingredient in its preparation?" Sharp's gruff voice cuts off whatever Sebastian was about to say.

Through the lecture, it doesn't get much better. Her hands are still shaking as she starts the brewing of the potion. The silver knife slips a few times as she cuts the ingredients. She hisses quietly and mutters a quick Episkey to staunch the bleeding.

Sebastian gently takes the blade away from her and passes her his own cut-up herbs and mollusc flesh. She looks up at his dear, worried face and musters a weak smile in gratitude.