1994

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1994
Professor Moody had practiced the unforgivable curses during their class. Made school children witness the horrors the curses wrought on spiders. Shaylah's spine had stiffened as she was forced to watch the wretched presentation. Bile had risen in her throat and threatened to cause her to vomit. It took everything she had not to shout or cry. She had not only witnessed the effects of the Cruciatus curse first hand more times than she would like to admit, but she had been the one to receive it too. As she watched the spider writhe it brought back the horrendous feeling in her nerves.

She had sat with her hand over her mouth as other students around her had whispered to each other. Some of them seemed more than ready to learn the curses but some were apprehensive, as they should be. The killing curse struck the last spider and the room had fallen silent. Something that was just so full of life and vigor now lay motionless and gone from the world. Voldemort's favorite curse.

Watching his expressions as he performed the curses made the sickness brewing inside her even harder to conceal. Knowing he was Barty Crouch Jr. made the whole ordeal different for her. He was a wretched man and she had seen some of his viciousness first hand during her time within Voldemort's fold. He was despicable.

Carrie followed her out of the class to make sure she was alright. "I will be, that was just disgusting don't you think?" Shaylah answered.

"I agree. It gave me chills." The two girls walked to the Great Hall together for dinner, thankfully Carrie had changed the subject to the upcoming Triwizard Tournament. They would soon know who the three challengers were. Shaylah had completely forgotten about it during her attempt to get her homework caught up and attend her potions lessons.

Shayleh felt his eyes on her, as she did everytime she entered the Great Hall for a meal. She had begun to wonder if he had started to figure her out. He hadn't revisited her mistake in their continued potions lessons. In fact, the last one had been an even greater disaster. He stood so close that she bumped into him, sending the whole Valerian root clutched in her hand into the cauldron when it only called for a small amount. Both of their faces were covered with soot after the contents congealed and created a small blast.

She hadn't been able to keep herself from laughing when he looked at her with fury in his eyes. His lip twitched and he clenched his jaw. Small pieces of his raven hair stuck out in all directions and she couldn't help but swipe her thumb down his cheek causing him to shout. He practically chased her out of his classroom. She erupted in more laughter after she was in the corridor. Her Severus had been covered in soot more times than he would ever be able to recall. She didn't let this Severus' insults or jeers grind her down anymore.

Nate joined them at the Slytherin table, practically bursting at the seams with news. "Have you heard? There's rumor of a Yule Ball."

Shaylah and Carrie both lifted a brow as they glanced at one another. "You're excited for a dance?" Asked Shaylah.

"Of course!" Nate answered as if it was obvious. "I can't wait to wear my dress robes and dance the night away. My Gran taught me how to dance when I was little." He shot Shaylah a glance as he took a sip of Pumpkin Juice. "You're going to go aren't you?"

She ran her fingers through her hair before plopping a pile of potatoes onto her plate. "I don't know Nate, I'm not great at dancing."

"I'll teach you. I think each Head of House is supposed to give lessons, but I'm not entirely sure Professor Snape would be a great teacher. I bet he's never danced." Nate's eyes shot toward the Head Table.

Shaylah actually wasn't sure if Severus could dance. They didn' t even dance at their own wedding. In their time, there were no balls to attend or many social gatherings. They just struggled to survive and take down the evil that loomed over them. "Perhaps he can teach us how to make a dancing potion." Carrie cut in with a laugh.

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