Always

Chapter Fourteen

Snape made sure to stay away from the Gryffindor side of the classroom, but thankfully that was nothing strange to the experienced sixth-year potion students. As they began their first potion practical of the year, he watched the girl closely.

The fact that the girl had scored well enough on her O.W.Ls in potions was more surprising than why she was actually taking his class. As he watched her, he could see that she was in fact quite proficient at it. He wasn't sure if that irritated him or not. Actually, he wasn't quite sure how he felt about the whole mess. He could feel one side of him wanting to beat her off with a stick and the other side of him was quite entertained by the whole thing.

The bell rang and he quickly called out, "Miss O'Neill, you will stay after class."

To her credit, the girl didn't blink at the order and merely waved away her family members who were waiting outside the door for her. The last student left and the door banged shut as silence filled the room. Snape wondered idly if he should see if she would break under it. After a minute of her calmly standing at her desk, he gave her a few more credits and spoke. "How aware are you of what you are?" he demanded without preamble.

"I know most of the theory of it but not much of the practical side of it," Kellas answered promptly. "I've read nearly everything you have written on the subject."

"Have you," Snape stated more than questioned. He let the silence hang again and was once more slightly impressed that she didn't give into fidgeting or even belligerence at being kept from her lunch. They faced each other with an entire classroom between them. Finally, Snape broke the silence once more. "What is your reason for coming here to this school, Miss O'Neill? You are more than competent in all of your subjects and your tutor of many years is highly qualified and sings your praises. You have no need for schooling at all at this point, especially given your chosen career of music, which you are already excelling at."

"I wanted to be on an even keel with Maia," Kellas replied simply.

"You wanted to infiltrate her territory and find an opportunity in which her parents would be separated from her," Snape corrected her icily. "I doubt you anticipated one of her fathers being given a position in this school." Kellas straightened her shoulders and Snape contained his glee at finally breaching her cool exterior. "I am sure that made quite the kink in your plans."

"Believe what ye want, sir," she retorted offhandedly. "I only came to meet her and let her get to know me in an easy and familiar settin'."

"I notice that your accent gets thicker when you are trying to make yourself seem harmless," Snape pointed out coolly. "Do you think we are simpletons? Do you think playacting at being a country bumpkin will fool us?" Snape sneered. "I assure you, girl, we have been around the block enough times not to be deluded by such a simple con."

"Fine then, sir," Kellas answered, her voice tight and her body no longer pretending at being relaxed. "Why did you keep me after? You know why I am here at this school. You know my intentions. So this little chat is your attempt at what? If you want to come after me for what I did to your Sub, then do so."

"If I wanted you dead, you would be," Snape snapped out. "You put yourself in this situation so you will show the respect that is required of you!" He stepped down from the podium and smirked at the backward step the girl took. She caught herself and glowered. "You will not be going near Professor Potter-Malfoy again, Miss O'Neill. You are not in his class, therefore you have no business with him. You will also not harass any other students, including your dorm mates."

"Harassing? Funny how you can change it all around to suit yourself now," Kellas spat out. "Would it be better that I have a history of hating her, then? Or perhaps I should have applied to be a teacher here and got at her like that. It worked for you."