Heredity vs. Solidarity (S. Snape)

Chapter Thirty-Four

I know it's been a while since I've written this one. Sorry. :( I've been super busy with school, and then started my other series... ahhh... oh well, here it is!

The halls were a rush of noise and movement as the students departed from their classes. Selena was one of them, running swiftly through the halls as she tried to catch up with one very annoyed Marcy Jones.

“Marcy!” Selena called, shoving past a couple of snarling Slytherins, and jumping over their outstretched feet before finally walking in step beside her friend. “Look, I talked to Bernard –“

“Sh!” Marcy hissed, and looked around surreptitiously before hauling her friend down an abandoned corridor. “Don’t talk about it so loudly!”

“Sorry,” Selena muttered, rolling her eyes. “But, maybe if you would’ve waited for me this morning instead of skipping breakfast and going to classes early, I would’ve been able to talk to you sooner.”

“Right,” Marcy scratched at the back of her neck uncomfortably. “Sorry. I just couldn’t stand being around Michaela any longer than possible.”

“Understandable,” Selena agreed. “But, anyway, Bernard basically said he’d be able to trail Avery no problem. I told him he could only appear with either you or me around, and that he should only find us this week if he finds out something, otherwise, he has to make a weekend meeting with us.”

“Did he seem trustworthy?”

“Trustworthy?” Selena laughed. “Are you kidding? He was so excited! He’s definitely able to do the job, let’s just hope he actually catches tail of something.”

“It’s too bad that…” Marcy trailed off, looking uncomfortable as she pressed herself back against the wall, and released a heavy sigh. “Nevermind.”

“No, what?” Selena encouraged, now intrigued. “You can’t hide this from me, Marcy Jones. I’ll figure it out eventually, and you know that.”

“I just wish that Matt could’ve been… I don’t know… a part of this? After all, he’s who mentioned Bernard in the first place.”

“Forget about him,” Selena sighed. “He’s not worth it. Anyone who chooses Michaela over you has a few brain cells missing. You’re worth way more than she is.”

“Thanks,” Marcy smiled faintly, but the expression didn’t quite reach her eyes. Placing an arm around Marcy’s reluctant form, Selena led her friend towards Charms, hoping against odds that the next class would cheer her up.

The first sign of Bernard’s presence was one evening in the Ravenclaw Common Room when Marcy and Selena were finishing up their homework for the night. The last of the embers were dying out in the hearth, and the last person remaining besides the two girls had just gone up to bed.

It was with a startling crack that a lot of things happened in a single second. Selena had unceremoniously dropped her quill, and toppled to the floor, startled by the sudden noise. Marcy had dropped her quill, but in an instant was rushing towards the house elf, eager for news. And, of course, the house elf had arrived in the middle of the room, though he wasn’t alone.

Selena froze in her spot at the sight of a small, tiny house elf and a large seventh year Slytherin, rolling around on the ground. Marcy paused mid-step, mouth agape as Selena grasped her arm firmly and pulled her back. The two withdrew their wands, pointing them threateningly towards the new danger.

“Avery, release him,” Selena commanded sternly. The Slytherin, having not noticed that he had been transported, looked up in surprise, though the expression was quickly replaced by a look of disdain. The fight had temporarily ceased, and slowly Bernard lifted himself up, patting down his rumpled potato sack meticulously.