"Snape!" you call loudly after the Potions Professor as he leaves his class. Some students turn back and stare at you in confusion, but most come back to what they've been doing - which is getting away from Snape as fast as possible after their Potions class, because well of course.
"Snape!" you repeat, this time more loudly when you see him ignore you.
Snape freezes. His shoulders move as though he's letting out a heavy sigh when he turns back. Snape knows you, he knows your parents and of course, Draco, his godson. You believe no one in Hogwarts other than him can help with Draco's situation.
"Your manners, Ms. (Y/n)." Snape says coldly. The corridor's much less crowded now that most of the students have scattered and are now going to their next class.
"It's not the time to talk about my manners now, Snape. And after all, you're not my Professor anymore. I'm here to talk about something else." you explain.
"I don't talk to anyone who I haven't arranged an appointment beforehand." Snape returns, turning to walk away.
"This is serious!" you yell, annoyed. "If you care about your godson, Draco Malfoy, then talk to me!"
***
"The Dark Lord does everything on purpose, Ms. (Y/n)." Snape says, sitting down on the chair behind his wooden desk. This time you don't wait to be allowed your take your seat like every other time in the Professor's office, instead you drop yourself on a chair facing Snape. "He is doing this to Mr. Malfoy intentionally and there is nothing I can do to help you, or him."
"But at least you can...maybe stop the headaches he gets?" you suggest. "You know, with your Potions skills I believe you are of course able to-"
"No." Snape cuts you off. "I know you want all the best for Mr. Malfoy and so do I, but my Potions skills are nothing compared to the Dark Lord's powers. And besides, taking this risk means putting my life on the line."
"So what?" you ask stubbornly.
"That is not your problem." he sighs, rubbing his temples. "Your highest priority at the moment is to survive the Second Task, which is only a week away. May I remind you that Mr. Malfoy's life will be in your hand, and apart from yourself, no one can decide his fate for him."
You remain silent. Snape's words struck you like lightning. How dare you ask him to save Draco's life while you yourself have no clue what to do to keep him safe in the Task coming up?
"Snape, I-" you stutter in embarrassment, "I'm afraid I'm still not quite certain what to do."
"Clearly." he nods.
"Well, could I please ask you for some advice or-"
"Ms. (Y/n), I believe you know I'm very close to your parents?" Snape asks before you finish your sentence and you nod your head yes. "I've been highly cautious of what the Dark Lord seems to be doing to them recently." he lowers his voice. "Though I don't say it, I do admire them for what they've been contributing to Dumbledore-"
"My parents? Contributing to Dumbledore...?" you frown in confusion. You know all too well your parents are followers of the Dark Lord, though they aren't considered faithful servants, they still are Death Eaters. And Death Eaters don't contribute anything to Dumbledore.
"Indeed. They must have never told you, for their own safety while working for Dumbledore like this. Your parents and I have been collecting useful information we get from Death Eaters and get Dumbledore well-informed. They made a mistake, and now, they are sincerely in danger.
"The Dark Lord knows it. He knows you are their daughter, he knows you have been raised well enough to follow their path in the future. That is why he's been doing this to Draco, to destroy him until he's no longer recognisable to you. The Dark Lord wants Draco Malfoy to be the one to hurt you, to let you know that love is pointless. Do you understand?"
"Yes." you reply, swallowing.
"I cannot make his situation better, but I can assure you that Draco Malfoy is a good person, not like his parents, and that it's never been him trying to hurt you, it's been the Dark Lord all along. So whatever you do, it's his body that you hurt, not the Dark Lord's. Never physically hurt Draco Malfoy, that only hurts him, not the Dark Lord who dwells within his thoughts.
"From now on, having known the truth, I want you to always be ready for the worst. The Dark Lord will come back to life very soon, and when that does happen, you need to be prepared to fight him. And by the worst, I mean you fighting as an orphan."
Snape pauses and you feel chills running down your spine. He means you fighting as an orphan...you fighting without your parents...who will have passed away by the time. There seems to be a lump in your throat as your eyes begin to well up. But no, you're not allowed to cry. You will be brave, you will fight.
"I will try my best to keep you alive until the Dark Lord returns. When he does, I'm not sure whether I can be by your side to protect you on behalf of your parents or not, but for now, I need you alive. Dumbledore needs a witch like you alive." Snape continues. "I will help you in your Second Task, Ms. (Y/n)."
He stands up and takes out a tiny glass bottle of potion from one of his cupboards. The potion is as clear as water, but doesn't seem like it. You've never seen this potion before.
"I invented this myself hand have had it tested on my own body, don't worry." he explains, handing you the bottle, which you take from him cautiously. "This potion helps you breathe underwater freely, but has a disadvantage to it, which I haven't been able to fix just yet."
"May I ask you what that is?"
"It slows all your movements down and using it for too long might make you temporarily paralysed part by part." Snape says warningly. "Like every other potion, this potion wears off, and by the time it does, you will have been entirely paralysed. So I don't recommend using the potion for longer than 30 minutes, as according to my calculations, after using the potion for half an hour, your limbs will be entirely paralysed."
"Right..." you say, observing the potion in your hand. "How long might I be paralysed for?"
"A maximum of 10 minutes." Snape answers.
"Okay, thank you very much, Snape. I'll take this." you smile, standing up from your chair to leave.
***
Dear Mum and Dad,
I've been told the truth about you and I love you both so much more now. I am very proud to have such amazing, courageous parents and I promise I will do my best to never disappoint you.
From now on, I will get myself ready for that one day when I get to be on the battlefield, and I will fight till the end for what we all believe is right.
Also, I have received help from Snape. He made me a useful potion to use in the Second Task! I think I'll be just fine.
Love,
(Y/n)
***
A/N:
Hi there!
So yes, the chapter is finally here. I hope you enjoyed it, and if you did, please vote for it and if there's any thought on this chapter that you want to share, feel free to leave a comment!
QOTD: What does your name look like when all the vowels have been removed?
AOTD: Mnh.
Let me know yours pls!!
~BAM~
YOU ARE READING
Not the villain in my story *ON HIATUS*
FanfictionGoing back to Hogwarts is like being back home. But little do you know, there's a price that needs to be paid for this special vacation, and Draco Malfoy is somehow involved.
