Megan Potter - A Saga of the Heart - Book 6 - Dark Temptation-

Chapter 39 - Building frustration

"Harry!"

She caught his shoulder. He let out an annoyed sigh, but stopped.

"What?"

"For God's sake, at least get under the Cloak!" she said irritably. "D'you really want him to see us? Or God forbid, Snape?"

New eyeroll, but Harry didn't object to the cloak.

"You'll thank me when we find out he's a D-" he began.

Megan quickly cut across him.

"Ssh!" she hissed. "Someone might hear you! You can't just go and accuse him openly like that! It's stupid and dangerous! Now come on, get under here."

She slid the Cloak over them. They hurried down the hall, their footsteps covered by the music still echoing through the halls. They stopped about ten feet from Malfoy and Snape, who were standing in a deserted corridor, behind a classroom door.

"You cannot afford mistakes, Draco, if you're expelled..."

"I had nothing to do with it, okay?"

"I hope not, because it was both clumsy and foolish." Snape said. "You're already suspected of having a hand in it."

"By who? I told you, I didn't do anything!" Malfoy snarled. "And don't look at me like that, that won't work!"

Snape said nothing for a moment, then said:

"Your aunt has been teaching you Occlumency. What are you trying to hide?"

"Nothing," Draco said stubbornly. "I just don't want you butting in!"

Megan couldn't help standing in shock a moment. Snape had actually tried to pry into his own student's mind? And Draco had forced him out? Not to mention he had always seemed to want to be in Snape's good graces, but now he seemed to hate him...

"So this is why you avoided me? Had anyone else failed to come to my office when having been summoned several times..."

"So turn me in!" Malfoy jeered. "Put me in detention!"

Snape was probably giving him one of his cold glares, because he didn't answer at once.

"I wish to do neither, as you are perfectly aware of." he said shortly.

"Then stop calling me to your office like a dog to his master's heel," Malfoy retorted.

Megan and Harry glanced at each other, astounded. Malfoy had never spoken to Snape like that! Of all the school staff, Snape was always his favourite, and Snape had always seemed to favour him too... what on Earth could have led Malfoy to behave like this? Was it related to why he looked so under the weather?

"I am trying to help you," Snape said. "I swore to your mother I would protect you. I made the Unbreakable Vow..."

Megan was so intent on listening she didn't notice Harry's eyes widen.

"Then you'll just have to break it, then, because I have no need for your protection! It's my job. He gave it to me, and it's up to me to get it done."

"What is your plan?"

"It's none of your business!"

"If you tell me, I could help you..." Snape began.

"I told you, I don't need your help! I have plenty already!"

"Well, you didn't tonight, and that was most foolish."

"Crabbe and Goyle would have been with me if you hadn't put them in detention!" Malfoy snapped.

"Keep your voice down!" Snape hissed. "And your friends will need to work a little more than they are presently to succeed in their Defence Against the Dark Arts–"

"Who cares about that?" Malfoy said exasperatedly. "It's an act!"

"An act that is crucial in order to succeed, Draco!" Snape retorted. "You think I would still be alive today, if I hadn't known how to act? You are being incautious, and if you are placing your faith in Crabbe and Goyle..."

"There are others, too, better people."

"Then confide in me," Snape said, "and I can-"

"You just want to steal my glory!"

Snape didn't answer right away.

"That is a very childish reaction." he said coldly. "I can understand that your father's imprisonment upsets you, but..."

"Forget it. Just leave me alone."

Megan heard Malfoy's steps first. She yanked Harry out of the way as Malfoy strode out of the room, passing very close to where Megan and Harry stood, before turning and disappearing round a corner. Harry meant to shoot after him when Megan caught his arm, pressed her finger to her lips before he could utter a sound, then pulled him out of sight. Lucky she did, because Snape came slowly out of the room at that moment. His face unreadable, he returned to the party. Megan and Harry waited a few moments, then Megan whispered:

"See? We have to use our heads! There's so much more at stake than just catching Malfoy in the act!"

"All right, all right..." Harry grumbled, tugging his arm free. "What d'you think that was all about, then?"

"No idea..." Megan said, looking towards where Snape had marched off out of sight, "but I don't like the sound of it, to be honest."

They glanced at each other, unsure what to think.