snape's daughter, harry's sister

the patronus charm.

January 1996

"Expecto Patronum!" Haley had mastered the spell two years ago. She was only demonstrating to Luna how it was properly done as the blonde had been struggling previously.

"A weasel?" she inquired, a knowing smile spread across her dreamy face. The older girl couldn't help but to blush and chance a glance at Fred. Fortunately, said twin was busy trying to cast his own patronus and hadn't noticed anything (she'd yet to tell him of the form hers took no matter how many times he asked).

"It means nothing," the Gryffindor replied lamely, aware that it was hardly true.

"If you say so," Luna merely kept smiling, knowing the truth.

"Try again," Haley eagerly switched the subject. Nobody in the D.A. had managed to succeed and she hoped one of the Ravenclaws (Luna or Maggie) would get to be the first, aside from Harry and her. Amaryllis would've been more than capable, but unfortunately couldn't make it this night for a reason she knew not.

"Expecto Patronum!" Luna gave it her all.

Haley watched as a misty blue rabbit sprung from the fourteen year olds wand and witnessed it prance about the room around everyone else.

"Fantastic, Luna!" Harry complimented his girlfriend who beamed at him for it.

It didn't take long for the others to catch on. Cho's patronus turned out to be a swan, while Neville's oddly took the same shape as Haley's own. She could only assume it had something to do with his and Ginny's relationship. Maggie's ended up being a fox, which took everyone who knew her a bit by surprise. Hermione's otter didn't at all, especially Luna who seemed very adept at reading into the true meaning of things.

Haley had been about to find out what Fred and George's were when the Room of Requirement's walls began trembling fiercely, causing everyone to freeze in place.

"Bombarda Maxima," they heard an all too familiar voice say. Moments after, the entirety of Dumbledore's Army was exposed to Umbridge, Filch, Draco, and his sister.

"Rye?" the name escaped Haley's lips almost inaudibly. She shook her head, not wanting to believe what she was seeing.

Ten Minutes Later

Once everyone had been sentenced to detention for the next several months, Dolores took the two raven haired siblings straight to Albus' office, each Malfoy trailing behind.

"She tricked me," Amaryllis told her friend quietly as they reached the talking gargoyle. "I would never-"

"Save it for someone who cares," Haley spat. If looks could kill, the Slytherin would be in a coffin at this point.

"Please, you have to believe me," she refused to give up.

"No, she doesn't," Harry reminded her bitterly.

"Silence, all of you," Umbridge demanded, ending their little conversation immediately.

Four Months Later

Haley desperately wished she could join in with everyone and laugh as the Weasley twins fled Hogwarts, leaving behind a fantastic firework show, but she simply couldn't find it within herself.

The seventeen year old felt slightly betrayed. How could they just abandon her? The two hadn't even mentioned their plan, let alone say goodbye properly. So, to say she was hurt would be an understatement.

"Haley," someone tugged on the sleeve of her robe, pulling her out from her depressing train of thought.

"Hermione, what is it?" she noted the concern the brunette's eyes held.