Servitium| Theodore Nott

Chapter Fifteen

Ivory was all too relived when the time to return to Hogwarts came, despite her fathers promise she had not seen her brother at all during the Christmas holidays, save for the meeting with Voldemort, she had so many things she wanted to ask him, so many things she wanted to say. Her birthday on New Years Day had been a quiet affair, usually her mother would organise some expensive party which none of her real friends would be invited to, a ballroom packed with Slytherin teenagers and Ministry Officials, she was actually glad that hadn't been the case this year. She had spent the day with Narcissa in Diagon Alley , she had gotten her hair done in new braids, and had afternoon tea with the woman. Theodore had also taken her to a 'Singing Sorceress' concert that evening, she was a huge fan of Celestina Warbeck and she just happened to be touring Europe, it was probably one of the best nights of her life, all things considered.

"Good morning," Pavarti beamed as she stood by her mirror plaiting her long black hair and putting a ridiculous bow at the end.

"There's nothing good about this morning, it's Monday that means, we've got Binns, Snape and Umbridge today. At least I have Divination," Fabiola whimpered walking out of the dormitory with her shoes on the wrong feet.

"She's got her shoes on the wrong feet," Hermione mumbled drying her wet hair with a towel and brushing it rapidly or at least attempting to brush it.

"I don't think she really cares, she'll sort it out." Ivory fastened her tie and grabbed her bag heading to the Great Hall for breakfast.

That Monday evening, Ivory frowned as Harry sat in the common room looking at the clock every few seconds, Hermione and Ron were no where to be seen making Ivory wonder just what Harry was up to, probably some half cocked plan to get half the school nearly killed.

"What is wrong with you? You've looked at the clock at least five times in thirty seconds." Ivory asked shutting her History of Magic textbook and looking at him.

"Huh? Oh sorry," he said turning a shade of red. "I just have a meeting with Snape...Remedial Potions."

"Bloody hell Harry, I know you're bad but not that bad, I didn't think Snape offered Remedial classes." She observed him and he avoided eye contact, trying to look anywhere but her. "Unless," she continued, "you're not really doing Remedial Potions and you're seeing him for an entirely different purpose, so come on spit it out." 

"You're not really practicing for Poisons and Anecdotes are you? I knew it was a load of bullocks." Harry faced her at once.

"It was a lie," she admitted, "but I'm not supposed to tell anyone what I'm doing."

Harry watched as a fourth-year walked past before parting his lips to speak. "Is it Occlumency then?"

"Maybe,"  Ivory replied picking up her quill and dipping it in ink.

"Why are you doing Occlumency lessons?" he asked lowly.

"Why are you?" Ivory fired back.

"Fair enough." He sat back fiddling with his wand, "what's it like?" he asked after some moments.

"Weird. But you get used to the sensation it'll be pretty easy to spot when someone is trying to get a look into your mind."

"I just know Snape is gonna be the worst with me," Harry groaned and Ivory chuckled.

"He's pretty alright one on one but I suppose he harbours a special dislike for you, but he's a good teacher I don't think I'd make as much progress as I have with anybody else,"  Ivory said thoughtfully.

"Well see you later," he stood up placing his wand into the back pocket of his school trousers. "I'm gonna let Snape get a glimpse into my deepest, darkest secrets."