Whispers of the Dove / R.L & S.B

🌼~°18°~🌼

<<<<Willow>>>>

Walking through the enormous wooden doors of the castle, I couldn't shake my unease. The first thing I needed to do was find Snape. I could only hope he still had Pettigrew; the last I saw of him, he'd been unconscious on the forest floor while chaos unfolded.

The empty corridors stretched before me, soon to fill with students heading to breakfast and then their classes. Classes. Another thing for my ever-growing mental to-do list—I'd have to cancel mine and Remus's lessons.

I headed toward the dungeons, guessing that Snape might be in his classroom. Finding the Potions classroom, however, was another challenge entirely. In all the months I'd been teaching here, I'd never ventured down to the dungeons. As I wandered the corridors, still frazzled, I spotted a student making his way down the hall. Platinum blond, clad in Slytherin robes, and walking with a confidence I couldn't have mustered at his age—it was Draco Malfoy.

"Professor Langley, what are you doing down here?" Draco asked, his tone confused but tinged with bitterness.

"Malfoy," I said lightly, "could you point me to the Potions classroom, please?"

I forced myself to remain neutral. It wasn't fair to hold a grudge against a child for the sins of his father. Lucius Malfoy was a slippery, conniving man, likely raising Draco to follow in his footsteps—much like my father had tried with me.

Draco hesitated, then smirked. "It depends," he said, his words laced with defiance.

That got my attention. "On what?"

"I'll help you find your way," he drawled, "if you tell me what you have on my father and why he lets himself be threatened by you." He stared at me, trying to appear intimidating, but I couldn't help letting out an awkward snort. Was this kid serious?

"You know what? Never mind," I said, shaking my head. "I'll probably find my way eventually. Thank you, Draco."

As I turned to walk away, I hesitated. "Draco," I added softly, "I've already told you—you can come to me anytime if you need to talk. I don't know what your life is like or what others have told you, but I think you could be a great person someday. A wonderful adult. But the path you're on—the one your father took—it's not the right one. I promise you that."

Draco's face betrayed no emotion, but as I turned to leave, he called out, "Professor, the Potions classroom is right here," pointing to a nearby door. Then he walked away, his back straight and his expression unreadable.

I smiled faintly as I watched him go, silently hoping he might one day break free from the cycle so many pureblood children were trapped in.

Entering the Potions classroom, I was struck by its dark, moody atmosphere. Cauldrons stood on the desks, some still brewing.

"Severus?" I called into the dim room.

Footsteps approached, and Snape emerged from his office, his face set in a grim scowl. "Langley," he sneered, clearly not in the mood.

"Where is—" I started, but he interrupted me.

"Follow me."

Without another word, he led me into his office. He approached a cabinet and opened its doors to reveal a small jar. Inside was Pettigrew in his rat form, trapped and trembling.

I couldn't help but smirk. "A new pet?" I teased.

Snape rolled his eyes. "I'll keep him here until we have a... plan," he said, his tone strained, as though helping me, Remus, and Sirius was physically painful for him.