Buried History

Chapter 27 Matters of High Importance

Severus returned to his chambers after his rounds and unceremoniously plopped into his bed beside Eliza.

"Hard day?" She asked, laughing. Her voice was weak and hoarse.

Severus couldn't help the smile that came over his face. He turned to face her and stared into her sage green eyes.

"You won't believe what the bloody hell happened right before fifth period, beloved." He spoke quietly, never shifting his eyes.

The woman frowned. "What happened?"

He propped himself up on his elbow, still facing her and began to retell the story of how Miss Knightley had told him what Draco had done and the gleam that came from Mae's eyes after.

"How peculiar." She arched an eyebrow. "What did Garrett do exactly for it to be, as she put it, Snape-ly?"

Severus shrugged. "I'm not certain, but I don't believe it is a good thing."

***

It was late and after hours. She had avoided being caught so far, surely she'd make it.

Tiptoeing down the hall, she pressed herself against the wall behind a suit of armour when she heard voices.

"Please don't catch me." She whispered.

She strained her ears to hear who was there.

"Thank you for joining me on my walk, Severus." It was Professor Barron. "I can't stand it in that room anymore. Stone walls are no place for someone like me. Makes me ask myself what the bloody hell I'm doing here."

Footsteps were approaching a lot faster than she had hoped.

A low chuckle. "Anything for you, Eliza. I realize that this isn't the easiest situation for you to be in."

They were right around the corner. She held her breath.

The turned and walked on. Only for the Potion's Mistress to stop and turn toward the suit of armour.

Snape raised an eyebrow. "Something wrong?"

The woman frowned and moved towards the hiding place.

"I could have sworn I heard something." She made eye contact with the professor and Barron stopped and backed away. Realization shining in her eyes.

"Dammit, I'm done for." She murmured.

The Defence Against the Dark Arts teacher heard a sound and turned toward the armour as well.

Professor Barron placed a hand on the man's chest, pushing him back slightly. "Let her go, my love. She has something important to attend to."

The man nodded and shot one last look. "Next time, it's detention." He replied.

"Miss Knightley," Eliza called out. "Come out of there. You aren't in trouble."

She stepped out of her hiding place, head bowed. "I'm sorry professors."

They both acknowledged her apology.

Go. A voice in her head said.

The redhead frowned, slightly frightened. It sounded just like...

Go, I said! But be quick and be careful. You mustn't be caught. Others won't be as kind. Now go!

So the rumours were true....

Professor Barron really could get into people's heads.

"Thank you!" And with that, she turned the corner and took off.

Severus turned to the woman at this side. "I hope you haven't made a mistake."

"I hope so too."

***

"And then they caught me and let me go. Just like that. No detention, nothing."

She had finished her recounting her tale to the pale blonde boy laying in the infirmary bed.

She smiled down at him at brush strands of hair from his forehead.

"You need to be careful, Draco." She said, her voice full of worry. "First you get beat up my Potter at Christmas, then you let the Deatheaters pick on you and now this."

The boy smiled at the girl, though his smile was full of chagrin. "You're so good to me, Juliet. What would I do without you?"

She pressed a kiss to his cheek. "You would've failed six years of schooling and gotten in trouble for breaking all the rules."

He laughed, the emotion reaching his eyes and lighting up his face for the first time in months. "Too true."

She traced his black eye and trailed her finger down the markings on his face left by Garrett's spells and fist.

"I'm so sorry, Juliet. I'm a despicable being." Malfoy whispered.

The redhead shook her head, her signature saucy smile gracing her lips. "Nonsense, love. I forgive you. Things happen, mistakes are made and actions regretted. What matters is forgiveness."

Juliet's eyes sparkled as she gazed down on the Prefect.

Next year he'd move on to seventh year. She'd be recruiting for the Dark Lord.

Knightley stood and lay beside Malfoy in the infirmary bed. She rested her head on his shoulder and held his bandaged hand. Juliet turned her head, kissed his swollen and slightly bloody lips.

"Sleep well, my angel." The girl whispered.

Draco had long since fallen asleep.