Lucy Snape and the Half-Blood Princess (Book Six)

Tactful Two

As soon as Lucy had returned to the castle she had packed all of her belongings up and moved to her Gryffindor quarters and took the bed next to Shona's. She opened up Angus' cage and let him roam freely before hopping up on the bed, pulling out some parchment and a quill and began writing. 

"Were you serious?" Shona asked, she leant against her bedpost and looked down at Lucy.

"About what?"

"About what you said to him?"

Lucy looked up from her parchment. "Absolutely, I can't associate with him when he's clinging so hard to his past. He's a death eater and he can't shake that, his loyalties don't lie with us. Especially as he left us to tackle Zuc and Kingston on our own."

"But he's your dad, he's done a lot for you."

"In the grand scheme of things, it doesn't matter any longer. It isn't about that he took me in all those years ago out of sympathy, instead it's about you and I. It's our fate we need to worry about and defeating Lord Zuc..." Lucy glanced at Merlin's sword at the end of her bed. "Is our fate. We weren't born for any other reason except that."

Shona nodded in agreement. "What do you think Snapey is going to get up to now?"

"For all I care he could be dancing in the woods with Voldemort and carrying on with their little cult, he has nothing to do with me now. I, however, have to focus on what's important now."

Shona glanced down at the parchment in Lucy's lap and saw she was devising some sort of battle plan. Shona didn't say anything and instead sat on her bed and opened up a book and read in silence. 

* 

Snape hadn't been seen since the incident which made life easier for Lucy. She no longer attended lessons and more or less spent all of her time scribbling on parchment and making big plans. 

Shona decided she was becoming recluse and one day dragged her down to Hogsmeade for some fresh air. It was begginning to warm up now but despite the change in temperature no one seemed to be getting excited about summer. There was a melancholy feel in the air after the news had been announced that Dumbledore had been murdered. They had held an afternoon dedicated to him in the hall that all students had attended. McGonagall had led the procession and had even dedicated some time to the murder of Jessica Stone but did not reveal to the students that Lord Zuc had been on Hogwarts grounds on the same night. 

Lucy had wanted to say some words about Jessica in the Great Hall but she couldn't honour her properly without revealing her sacrifice in the name of herself against Kingston. Instead she said her words quietly in her head as everyone had five minutes silent for those murdered:

Jessica was a wonderful woman.

She died protecting Matthew and she died in my name and I will do everything in my power to make sure she does not die in vain. She brought light to my father's life and hope in mine. But her sacrifice proved just how much she cared about us and for that I will be forever thankful.

Then  came the whispers about Snape and many had approached Lucy asking about him. But Lucy merely shrugged her shoulders and claimed she didn't know, which was the truth although she did have an inkling that he was with the Death Eaters now. This only caused rumours to fly around but the gifted were so un-phased by them that they didn't stop to dwell on them. Snape hadn't tried to come into contact with Lucy through her thoughts and the day that he went missing their connection seemed to have broken.

Lucy and Shona left Honeydukes, Shona with a bag of sweets and Lucy empty handed. Outside Matt was waiting for her. "Hi."

"Hey," she smiled. They hadn't seen each other for a week.

"Oh boy, here we go," Shona rolled her eyes.

"Shona!" Ben beamed on the other side of the door, opposite Matt.

"Oh boy, here we go," Matt imitated.

"Shut up, yank," Shona rolled her eyes but smiled at him. Matt returned it and Shona scampered off with Ben.

"Shall we?" Matt held out his arm to Lucy and she took it. They walked deeper into Hogsmeade enjoying the view, silent for a while before Lucy spoke up.

"I'm sorry I haven't been very present for a little while."

"It's no problem, I understand you're going through a lot. Saving the world is no easy feat."

"You're right but I should certainly of come to see you."

"You've gotta do what you gotta do and I respect that," he nodded and then looked guilty. "I'm so sorry about what happened to Jessica and I can't help but blame myself." 

"You can't blame yourself, you did the right thing. If you'd have offered anything remotely new to Zuc about me he'd have all he needed to defeat me. Jessica thought you did the right thing too, she respected you."

"You think so?"

"I know so. Although her death is devastating we can't dwell on the past, we have to keep moving forward otherwise this battle will never be won."

"Speaking of moving forward. I was wondering if you wanted to come home with me for the summer? Mom and dad would love to see you again I bet and seeing as your dad - " 

"I'd love to," Lucy smiled. 

"Really? Great. I'll send her an owl and let her know to set up the spare room as we have a celebrity coming." 

"Oh stop it," she laughed and they walked on through Hogsmeade together, enjoying the bright sunlight and the views.

*

A few more weeks passed and Lucy was stood on the platform handing Matt her luggage to put on the train, he'd already found a compartment to sit in so they'd be left alone. She finally handed Angus' cage to Matt and he carried it off to their compartment. 

"Miss Snape?" 

McGonagall turned to the source and saw Professor McGonagall standing there. "Hello, Professor. Nice to see you."

"I just wanted to see how you were before you headed home."

"It's been challenging but I think I'm going to be alright. After all, Zuc could come and find me at any time again."

"Stay as safe as you can," she looked like she was about to turn on her heel and leave when she pulled out a letter from underneath her robe. She lowered her voice and she handed it to her. "Your father left this in his quarters for you before he left. I'm sure it would be beneficial if you read it."

Lucy nodded and took the letter from her, not daring to inform her the troubles she'd had with her father. "Sure. I'll see you in September, Professor."

"Try and enjoy your summer, Miss Snape."

"I will," Lucy smiled and stepped on the train just as it began to move. She waved to Professor McGonagall before joining Matt in the compartment. She sat next to him as he entertained Angus who was now sat on his lap and the cat was clearly enjoying all the affection. 

Lucy tore open the letter and Matt peered at it. "Where'd you get that?"

"McGonagall gave it to me."

"Do you know who it's from?"

"Apparently my father."

Lucy took the parchment out of the envelope and read:

We're in this together. 

- Dad 

"As if," Lucy huffed. The train had reached full speed now, so she opened up the window and took the letter in her hand and felt the wind against it before letting the letter go and watched it fly away and land on the tracks. 

Lucy glared at the letter on the tracks and clenched her fist as she returned it to her side as she thought to herself.

I am the descendant of Merlin.

And I will be the one to kill Lord Zuc.

_______

LUCY SNAPE AND THE FINAL BATTLE (BOOK 7) COMING SOON