Finding Father

Chapter 21- Something Suspicious

"Race you guys to the Quidditch field!" Adam shouts.

Macy, Adam, and I take off across the grounds, heading to our flying lesson. It's a Saturday in March, and the first sunny day we've had in months, so we can't wait to be outside. Macy and Adam enjoy flying, but I love it. I already have plans to try out for the Ravenclaw team in second year, playing Chaser.

We earn several disgusted looks from older students as we bolt across the grass, heading for the pitch. Madame Hooch and half of the Ravenclaw and Hufflepuff first-years are already there, getting brooms out and talking. Macy wins our race there.

Since we have been having lessons most of the school year already, despite the weather, most everyone is fairly competent on a broom, and we divide into two groups and play mini mock games of Quidditch, letting everyone get practice at throwing and catching the quaffle and hitting the bludgers. No seeker is assigned and the snitch is not let out; we have a time limit on the lesson and who knows how long it would take a couple of first-years to catch it.

After Quidditch we return, hot and sweaty, to the castle and get cleaned up for the rest of our day. We end up in the Hufflepuff common room finishing some homework. The common room makes me wish, just a little bit, that I was in Hufflepuff. It's bright and earthy and cozy. I find it to be a very different feel from my own common room.

"Do you guys have the History of Magic notes from this week?" asks Macy. "I think I've slept through every single lecture this week." Adam rolls his eyes.

"I have them," he says, sliding his notebook towards her. She grins sheepishly.

"Thanks." I sit up straighter and close my astronomy book.

"I'm done," I announce.

"I've still got a ton, I totally blew it off last night," Macy groans. Adam nods.

"Yeah, I'm not done either. You don't have to stick around unless you want to," he says. I sigh.

"Sounds good, yeah. I think I might, uh, go see Professor Snape." I cringe. Even though they both know everything, it's no less weird for me, especially. In addition, I still don't feel as though we're close enough at all for me to refer to him as dad.

That said, I have gotten into the habit of doing homework in his office while he works, or at least making an effort to stop by and say hello. It's progress. It's working. Even though he never gives me special attention in class, he treats me with as much kindness as he can muster when it's just the two of us.

I knock on the heavy door, then push it open. I know Snape is in the office when the door opens easily, instead of being locked up. He's standing, facing away from the door and restocking one of the bottles on his shelves.

"Hello," I say. He turns and sits down.

"Good afternoon," Snape replies. "And how are you enjoying your Saturday?"

"It's been great," I tell him. I pull the chair on my side of the desk out a ways, and sit down, pulling my feet up onto it. "I had another flying lesson and we played mock Quidditch. I think I want to try out for Chaser next year." He nodded approvingly.

"Good, good. I can assure you that I was never one for sports, but your mother was a brilliant keeper in her later years at Hogwarts. Maybe you have some of her talent."

"Yeah, that's so cool. I think maybe I do. And I love it enough to practice and get good at it no matter what."

"Yes, wonderful," Snape says. "What brings you here today?"