'Tell Me Pretty Lies,' by moongirlel

Chapter 57: 'Animagi: A How-To Guide'

[Revenge - XXXTENTACION]

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Mon. 19th December 1994 - 10:23am...

The excitement and anticipation for the Yule Ball grew more by each passing week.

However, not everyone was full of enthusiasm. Draco received another letter from his mother regarding the situation and current mindset of his father.

As much as I wanted to punch his father for how he handled the party disaster, it began to slowly affect my boyfriend negatively.

Draco hadn't ever been introduced to healthy coping mechanisms for heavy emotions; much like myself in that regard.

So it resulted in us becoming his only source of distraction. And his classes, too.

From his dormitory, to mine, to the quiet sections of the library, a hidden room in the Astronomy tower and desolate hallways; he managed to find heady ways to get between my legs.

Whether it be tangling our legs together, or simply using his fingers and mouth on me - Our bodies somehow found the perfect opportunities for us to act scandalously, reacting to our advances almost instantly.

Often times I would sit at dinner, my legs still shaking beneath the table as I tried to keep my composure. Acting normally, speaking to my friends as though he wasn't roughly taking me in the girl's lavatory twenty minutes beforehand.

A smirk plastered on his face the moment he noticed the hickeys forming around my freckles. Luckily, it didn't seem unusual to wear a scarf due to the cold winter temperature.

Aware of how this could turn into an unnecessary obsession between us, I told him. He agreed, but neither of us made an attempt to restrain ourselves.

Of course, the only days we stopped were the odd ones my period came on. Respectively, Draco got into the habit of buying me face masks and body lotion during those days. Even allowing me to make him join me for self-care, and wear a mask.

Not that he needed it, his skin was practically flawless.

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Some free lessons, like today's, students were allowed to study in the Great Hall.

My note books sprawled out in front of me, I finished up writing an essay for Potions. The second one in a row.

Hearing a disgusted screech from the Gryffindor table, I spot Ron holding a medieval looking outfit.

"I'm not wearing this! Mum send me a dress!" He said, his jaw slack.

"Is there a bonnet?" Harry chuckled, tossing him another item of clothing which matched the stained frills.

His face turned red, and he walked to his sister. "Ginny, these must be for you."

"I'm not wearing that, it's ghastly." She laughed.

Her voice grabbed the attention of half the students in the hall, some whispered and others pointed to the hideous dress robes.

In all honesty, Ron's outfit did resemble a potato sack.

Giggling quietly behind my hand, I keep my head down, silently observing Ron pick and scratch at the material.

Muttering quietly to himself, he boxed it up and carried it out of the hall. Harry close behind him with their books.

Clearing his throat, Professor Snape made himself known to me.

I glance back at him, "Professor?"

"Miss. Potter, I need to ask a favour of you. Would you walk with me?"

"Um... alright. Yes." I close my books, rushing to pick them up.

"Leave them. You can return to your studies afterwards." He gestured to the door, and I follow him.

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We take many turns through the hallways, stopping in the Potions classroom. He pulled out a stool, "Take a seat."

I take my place on the stool, crossing my arms.

"Are you aware of what an Animagus is?" He stopped by his desk, picking up a leaf.

"I believe so, yes? Why do you ask? Why am I here?"

"Your brother has zero patience for these kinds of precautions, you don't... You're in Slytherin for a good reason. Cunning, as you know is our most prideful attribute. However..." He twirled the leaf around, "A great mind is not always the safest option. Sometimes, our need to take physical action outweighs any and other potential conclusions."

Narrowing my eyes, I shake my head.

"Ignorance is a quality you possess, but I have reason to believe your opinions are kept secret for a reason. Make sure it's a good one."

He takes a book, and drops it down on the desk beside me. "What I hold is a Mandrake leaf, and the means in which this particular leaf is so important... is it's use in the transformation of a Witch or Wizard's form."

Nodding, I spin the book around, reading the title: 'Animagi: A how-to guide.'

"Animagi?" I lift my head, "Professor, did you acquire these ingredients in hopes I'll use them to transform into a registered Animagus?"

"Indeed."

"Why?"

"If The Dark Lord were to return... the resemblance between you and your mother would have him tearing down these very walls to turn you into a lifeless and bloodied corpse."

Oh.

Well, that's delightful to hear.

"Why are you helping me? Didn't you not despise my parents?"

"Your father was the person I hated. Your mother was my... friend." He angled his nose upwards, folding his arms behind his back. "Admittedly, she was fond of me herself for awhile."

I smile at him, and for a moment his mouth twitched in a way which resembled contentment.

"I suggest performing the task over the holidays. I do not expect you to succeed on your first try, I have a handful of Mandrake leaves secured in my office, if you are in any desperate need of another."

He hands the leaf to me, "Once a month is over, return to me and we can brew the required potion."

I accept the leaf, and stand, picking up the book with me. "Thank you, Professor."

Why would Snape willing allow me to become a registered Animagus?

Why is he helping me?

Especially after unsuccessfully finding who had been slipping the bottle of Veritaserum into my drink weeks ago?

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