Eleanor Snape- Book 2

Truth and Consequences

"How has the chorus been, Eleanor?" Uncle Severus asked a couple days later as I was cleaning up the remains of another attempt at a second year potion.

"Oh, er," That was odd. He never asked about the chorus; he could care less. I started to sweat underneath my robes. Did he know? "The same as it's always been." I lied, wiping my hand on my skirt.

"What piece are you doing?" He picked up the cauldron, which I had melted the bottom out of, and threw it in the rubbish bin.

"Um...A piece with the toads and the ravens." He raised a thick, black eyebrow.

"And I assume he has asked you to sing?"

"Um, yes." I took a quick, deep breath; he knew. He knew, he knew, he knew.

"Eleanor, since you have obeyed me and have followed through with your punishment from last year by doing that, I am going to let you quit if you choose."

"R-really?" I blinked. Maybe he didn't know and I was off the hook.

"Yes. You may go." We stared at each other for a few moments, until, finally, I turned around.

"This disappoints me, Eleanor." He said as I put my hand on the doorknob.

"What?" I turned around.

"Have a seat." I nodded and sat down across from him. "Flitwick had a word with me yesterday. I know you quit without my consent." I looked straight at me, expecting me to respond but I stayed silent. "That was a punishment, Eleanor. It was meant to keep you out of trouble. I was going to let you quit next semester if you wished, but apparently you can not handle any responsibility." My jaw dropped; he was going to let me quit!

"So... I don't have to go back?

"Oh, no. You're going back and you're going to do whatever Flitwick tells you."

"But he wants me to sing."

"Then you will sing."

"But-"

"I'm not finished. You lied to me again. Just like you did last year. I don't know when I can believe you and when I can't. How do I know you do that?"

"I will."

"You could be lying right now."

"I'm not."

"How do I know?"

I opened my mouth and then closed it back. He had a point. What right did he have to believe anything I said? How could I prove to him that I was, indeed, telling the truth?

"I'll take a truth potion, if it will make you trust me again."

"That will not make me always trust you, but if you are willing..." He trailed off. I nodded my head yes. He got up and opened a tall cupboard in the back of the room. The inside was filled with various vials of a rainbow of different potions.

"Drink this." He handed me one of the smaller vials. I drained it, thinking about the last time I had chugged a truth potion in my Uncle's office, only this time, I was drinking it willingly. I put the empty glass vial on the table.

"Eleanor?"

"Yes?"

"Are you going to finish your punishment with out trying to deceive me?"

"Yes." I immediately blurted out.

"And you are going to do whatever Professor Flitwick says." As much as I wanted to say yes, I couldn't bring myself to do so.

"I'll try, but if he wants me to sing-"

"Very well," he cut me off, "You can go."

"You're not punishing me?"