Forbidden Fruit

Snape's Penance

"Professor, you asked me to stay behind?" I said looking up at professor Snape. His black hair, much like mine, dangling in the frame of his face. "Yes, Miss. Schuyler. I did." There was a pause before he spoke. "It will not serve you well to be acting out in such a manner as I've seen not only in my potions class, but throughout your time at Hogwarts thus far." I nodded and looked down a moment feeling my cheeks radiate. I started to remember all the trouble I've been up to the past few weeks. "I understand you lost both of your parents this past summer during the attack on the Ministry. For that, I am terribly sorry." I met his gaze and nodded. "Thank you professor." He nodded "I understand...more than you know..how much it hurts to lose those we love." He seemed as if he was thinking of a memory. One that made him appear softer. "Do not use such a tragedy as an excuse for your poor behavior. To do so would be dishonorable...and a shame to your family. I expect to see an improvement. You're dismissed." I nodded and thanked him once again before leaving the classroom. 

My books and papers slipped out of my hands and onto the floor. Pages flew everywhere in the hallway. I sighed and kneeled down to gather my things. A Hufflepuff boy began picking up pages to help me as Malfoy, Balise, and Theo walked straight through them stepping on my pages. "Really?!" The boy said as they walked through. The trio didn't bat an eye as they moved past. I softened as the Hufflepuff picked up the last page and handed it to me. "Thank you, so much. That was very kind of you" I said with a sincere, soft smile. "Of course. I couldn't just stand there, let alone walk through them like those boys." We shared a small laugh. "I'm Cedric, by the way" he said holding out his hand. "Natty" I said shaking his hand with a soft smile. His hands were gentle and warm. "It's a pleasure" he said with a crooked smile as we let go of each others hands. "Well, I best be off. I'll see you around, Cedric." He nodded "see you 'round" he said walking the opposite direction. I could feel myself swooning. I made my way back to the Slytherin common room and then up to my dorm to change into something a bit more comfortable. I changed to a pair of jeans and a Slytherin house sweater. Fall was in full swing. I glanced out at my window watching as orange leaves fell from the trees placed around the grounds. Hogwarts was such a beautiful place. I debated on what I wanted to do for the rest of my afternoon until dinner. A butterbeer in Hosgmead sounded most pleasing, especially after that conversation I had with Snape. I made my way down to the common room and overheard familiar voices. "Can't believe she'd even entertain that prick" one said "I know! She goes to one Slytherin party and she thinks she's hot shit" another says and they all laugh. "I just can't believe Cedric. He's got that 'holier than thou' look to him and it makes my pure-blood boil" They all agree. "I give it three weeks, mate" one says. "What if he's interested in her..like actually" The other boy scoffs "as if he'd take a liking to someone like her." I turned the corner as saw Malfoy, Theo, and Balise. "Nice, boys...real nice.." Their faces all turned various shades of red. "Oh shit.." Balise said looking at Malfoy. "Natalia, wait.." Malfoy said trying to reach for my hand. He grazes it but I whip around and slap him. "Fuck you" I said walking out of the common room.

Butterbeer in hand, and books on the table, but I was a million miles away. Harry, Hermione, and Ron all barged into the three broomsticks babbling and laughing. They seemed so happy. I watched as they ordered a round of butterbeers. Hermione spotted me and came to my table. "Natty! How are you settling in?" She said sitting down across from me. "Well, I just slapped Draco Malfoy across the face, so you tell me" We laughed "I think that sounds like you're settling just fine!" we laughed again as the boys joined us. "Hey Natty" Ron said taking his seat. "Hey. How are you, boys?" They smiled "we're just fine" Harry said sipping his butter beer. We sat and talked until it was about time to pack up and head back to Hogwarts for dinner. 

I rolled out of bed the next following mornings feeling especially tired. I had spent the last few nights staying awake well into the night preparing for a potions test. I quickly got dressed and rushed down to professor Snape's potion class feeling less than confident about my studies. The classroom was rearranged with tables that were set with two chairs and one brewing pot. Shit. It was a partnered test. I took a seat in the back as students funneled in. Every seat in the room was taken but the one next to me. I looked around the room for anyone without a partner. Everyone seemed happily paired up but me. I sighed as professor Snape stepped to the front of the classroom. "Settle down..." the room hushed at his command. "Miss.Schuyler, it appears you are without a partner. You'll have to complete the potion...on your own. There are notecards at each of your tables. You all have different potions, so you can forget about looking to your neighbor. The time is.." the door opens and no other than Draco Malfoy walks in "Professor I'm so sor-" Snape cuts him off "Malfoy, I did not permit you to speak...Schuyler, looks like you have a partner after all" I feel my whole body tense. Of course I had to partner with the one person I was trying so desperately to avoid. Draco quietly takes his seat at my side. "As I was saying...the time is currently 10:04..you have until 10:50 to complete your potions. Begin." 

I avoided eye contact with Draco at all costs. Neither one of us wanted to speak the first word. He broke the silence first. "So..wiggenweld potion." I nodded "yes, that's correct" I said sharply. Draco takes the wiggentree bark, breaks it in half and puts it in the pot. I dilute it with a little water and add dittany leaves. "how's your hand?" Draco asks noticing the bandage and acute bruising I had on the side of my hand from slapping him. "It's fine.." I said a bit softer. Draco added a few drops of horklump juice and began to stir the potion clockwise. We portioned the potion into a small vile to let it cool with 10 minutes to spare. After a few moments of silence Draco twists the rings on his fingers. "I guess...I wanted to say that I regret the way things went down..in the common room.." I finally made eye contact with him. "So...you're apologizing?" "I mean..if you want to take it as that.." I scoff "can't even apologize..how typical." "Damnit, Natalia...you're making this so much more difficult than it has to be. Always blowing things out of proportion." I shake my head "yeah, I'm definitely the one in the wrong here, Malfoy." He shakes his head and sighs "I regret...saying those things. I was shit talking you and I shouldn't have been." I nod again "I'm still waiting on two words." "Yeah? Fuck. Off." I chuckle. I was stupid for thinking he would actually apologize. I suppose that's as good as it's going to get. Snape stopped at our table. "Wiggenweld..." he takes out a small pocket dagger and cuts a small point on his finger. Blood starts to pool at his finger tip. He places the dagger on the table and takes a swig of the potion. He places the empty vile back on its holder and looks at his finger. The small incision started to close. He wiped the drop of blood onto his handkerchief and nodded at us. "Well done. 20 points to Slytherin." We grin at each other happy to have gotten a good grade and pleased Snape in one go. 

I was sitting on my bed trying to finish my book when I heard a knock at my door. I sighed and put my book away. I made my way to the door and no one was there. At my doorstep, there sat a small vase with white daisies. I smiled and picked up the vase. The flowers were beautiful. I stepped out of my dorm to look around and see if anyone was waiting for me, but I found no one. I went bak inside my room and placed the vase on my nightstand. A tapping noise came from my window and it was my Owl. She had a letter in her beak waiting for me. I opened the window and took the letter. "Thank you, darling" I said to her giving her a pet on the head. She flew away and I shut the window back. I ran to my bed eager to open it. 

Natty,

I'm sorry.

Enjoy the flowers.

D.M.

I laughed at the letter. I couldn't believe he went through all of that trouble. How sweet of him. I was still mad, but he was making strides in the right direction.