Always

Chapter 7: Hallowe'en Night (Part 2)

The match had ended with a Gryffindor win, and she walked back inside while congratulating some of the young Gryffindors walking by. She went to her room and placed the flowers into a vase. She then walked to the Great Hall to eat some dinner. She then felt a large heavy shove against the wall and she groaned in pain. She rubbed her head looking up and she saw the tall dark shadow that she saw before. He chuckled at her as he held her chin up roughly. "Out of the dungeons.......and wanted to remind you that this is all your fault. If you had not come, we wouldn't have to be so angry. A shame really.....perhaps I will carve your beautiful face out and place it on a mantle." He smirked as she was shaking in fear. He then laughed at her, letting her go. "Tomorrow night will be a glorious night, and you, my dear, will be rewarded for this event." He said as he laughed at her some more and disappeared into the floor. She squealed in fear as she ran to the Great Hall and she ran down the aisle with a scared look on her face.

The professors saw her running and Snape was the first one to stand up. He looked at her as she ran and sat in her seat. He forcefully held her so that she was facing him. "Miss Washington, control yourself this instant. What happened?" He asked very firmly as he was trying to sound scary but his eyes were very scared and concerned for her. "Evil ghost.....threatened me. They are able to go out of the dungeon now, and they are really powerful...I think we should be very worried about tomorrow." She said gently as Snape lowered his head and he gently let her go and he whispered something into Minerva's ear and she looked concerned also as she looked at Beth and Beth gulped. She did not know what he was saying, but she had a feeling Snape was telling her that the ghosts were going to target her and that she was the one that needed to be protected the most out of everyone. Minerva nodded as she walked up to the podium looking nervous.

"Students, I have a grave announcement to make." She said as she looked at Beth with worried eyes and Beth was not sure what that look meant. "The spirits that reside in the dungeons are set to be released tomorrow evening on Hallowe'en night. They are very evil spirits and they will mascarade themselves to look like the Hogwarts ghosts that you know and love. These ghosts normally stay in the basement, but unfortunately their power source has been corrupted and they will attack most viciously. We will not be having classes tomorrow, and that is an order from me to protect our students....." She said as she looked to Beth. ".....and our professors." She finished as she gently let the students eat their dinners which was roast beef, mashed potatoes, dinner rolls, and some cherry pie. Beth did not feel like eating, as she felt too worried. Snape barely ate as well, thinking about helping her practice some protective spells. He looked at her slowly. "I wish to show you some protective spells to help you when you are in danger." He whispered. "Please do...I feel so numb right now, and I never get like this." She said back as she took a soft breath in and she held her head a bit, the side that did not have the butterflies on it. He looked around seeing everyone eating and talking, before he put a hand on her shoulder and he rubbed it gently to comfort her. He was sad to see her this scared when it really was not her fault she was coming to this school. Because she went into the dungeon, the spirits immediately responded to her energy. Ironically, Snape felt the same way. He was responding to her positive energy, and unlike the evil spirits, he accepted that energy and it was the one thing he needed in his life.

Beth watched the students talking about the ghosts and worrying about them, Out of everyone that should be the most scared, it was and should be Beth. She tried to take a bite of mashed potatoes and she coughed on it, drinking some water quickly. Snape saw her from the corner of his eye and it made him more concerned. He looked at her and she looked at him and they had the same look on their faces. Fear. Both for different reasons. For Beth, it was lowering her self confidence and her positivity was floating away and it has not happened before. She was always positive no matter what. For Snape, it meant everything. His students were in need of protection, but also Beth. If she saw Beth injured or killed, his life would be over in an instant. They both left a few minutes after they looked at each other and Snape did not lead her to the dungeons. That would be a very bad idea. He led her into a secret corridor and he held up his wand. "You are going to learn a few protective spells, Miss Washington. I will do my best to protect you but do not think you are the chosen one here. I have students to protect as well, so there will be times where I will not be there beside you. Let us begin." He spoke as Beth nodded. The giggly happy woman was gone. Now came the serious and more determined woman that needed to banish these evil spirits away from her students and from this school that has become her home.