The Princess and The Half Blood Prince

A Bad Idea

Hogsmead was just as it had been before. I honestly didn't see the appeal of it. It was basically a few nice cottages, a tavern, and a few small shops that were clearly more aimed at the students who visited than anyone else.  Gabby drug me from tiny shop to tiny shop. Artorias and Stranger sat outside each door and waited patiently for us to come back out again.

Artorias absolutely adored Gabby. I couldn't help but smile as he lopped after her. Stranger stayed glued to me, even more so than usual. Which I found a little disconcerting.

Inside a little clothing shop, Gabby was holding up an orange scarf. "This would look lovely on you!"
"I am absolutely not wearing that sorry excuse for a color." I said pointedly.
She sighed rolling her eyes at me. "You've spent to much time without the company of another woman."
It was my turn to roll my eyes "Whatever you say Gabs."

I saw him out the window. Blonde hair blue eyes, nose a little more crooked than before, but no mistake. Ricker.

"Hey Gabby, I think I'm going to head back to the castle."
"What?! We just got started!" She whined.
"We've been at this for two hours." I pointed out. "Besides don't you have some Malfoy flirting to do?"

She blushed, "I assure you I have no idea! You're insufferable!"
I laughed still keeping an eye out the window. He had slipped back into the crowd.

"You know. I think I'm ready to head back too. You're not the only one with homework." She gave me a sly smirk.

I looked at her suspiciously. "You're sure? Don't you normally go to get butter beer with Sarah and Mae?"
"Yeah, but they've been acting strange."
I remembered Gabby told me she's a Half Blood. Sarah and Mae come from pure Blood families.

I didn't see him as we left the shop. Maybe he thought better of whatever stupidity he was planning. I sincerely doubted it. I gave Artorias a hand signal to stay close to Gabby.

We were half way up the path. I could feel his gaze, but made a point not to turn around.
"Hey Ira?"
"I know. Gabby listen. As soon as we get over this hill, make a break for the trees, get back to Hogwarts"

She looked at me horrified, but didn't argue. We reached the top of the hill just out of site and she took off. I stopped watching her until she disappeared into the line of trees.

—————-Gabby——————-
She broke through the trees just outside the gates. Artorias hot on her heels. Of course the dungeon bat was the first person she saw, but that didn't matter now.

"Professor! Professor Snape!" She yelled.
He looked at her with the same distain that he held for all his students.
"Ira..." She panted, "there was a man following us...she needs help." She managed to get out.
"Where?"
"Where! Miss Winters."
Still panting Gabby pointed down the path. "The spilt."
"Go find the headmaster and inform him." Snape commanded before aparating down the path.

He landed just in time to see herwand laying a few feet away. She was standing at least. That man. Serious felt his blood boil.

——-Back to Ira——-
I stared Ricker down. He looked different. There was glen in his eye. Madness setting in. I remember watching that same glen come into my fathers eyes.

"You won't get a away with it you filthy mutt!" He was shouting.
"Mutt? How original." I let the sarcasm drip from my lips.

I rolled left. Part of a tree trunk exploded. This psychopath is really going to try to kill me. I growled.

I watched as he raised his wand again. I made for another roll, but he suddenly changed direction of his attack. I laid sprawled having barely stopped in time to miss getting hit. He must have anticipated that would go for my wand.
"Avada Kedavra!"
I watched as the curse came barreling toward me. I didn't have time to get out of the way. Suddenly Stranger was in front of me taking the full force of the curse.
"No!" My voice cracked.

Vaguely I heard another voice. Professor Snape had Ricker pinned to the ground with a spell I hadn't heard. Professors Dumbledor, Mcgonagall, along with Hagrid were standing at the fork of the road. They had seen the whole thing.

I stared disassociated from them, to Ricker, and back to Stranger. I reached out and touched his soft fur. "No." I whispered again.
Severus was suddenly next to me. His hands were on my shoulders trying to get me to move. I looked up at him. His eyes were black and solid and concerned.

Tears brimmed in my own eyes. Don't cry I said to myself. Never let them see you cry. I let him help me off the ground. With a firm grip on my shoulders he lead me away from my bravest companion.
"Professor Snape, take Miss Greyson back to the school." Dumbledor's voice was calm, but his eyes glittered with anger. "Mr. Ricker will not be weaseling his way out of this one."

In a pop we were at the castle gates. Snape lead me through them and straight to infirmary.
"I'm fine." I started to protest.
"Ira you are bleeding. You will get checked weather you want to or not."

As if his words had woken me from a deep sleep, I suddenly felt warm liquid tracing down my back. Why had he called me by my first name? He never calls students by their first name. More importantly why is he still touching me. His hands were on my shoulders. He was careful to keep them on the fabric of my shirt so as not to touch the skin the wide neck exposed.
"I'm sorry." His voice was low.
"For what?"
"I should have been there. I never should have let you out of my site after we found out he was given his magical rights back."
I smiled faintly. "You can't watch over me all the time. You had no way of knowing he would attack me again. Besides, he's not the first person to try to kill me. I let my guard down, and Stranger paid the price." A tear rolled down my cheek.
"What do you mean not the first?"
"A story for another time."
I reached up and placed my hand over his. "This wasn't your fault." I squeezed his hand before letting go.

Gabby and Artorias were waiting on us. Artorias walked up and licked my hand. He could sense something was off, he let out a low half howl. I ruffled the fur between his ears. Gabby just stared at me wide eyed. Maybe it was because Snape still had his hands on my shoulders or maybe it was the attack. Gabby had sensed the danger.

Artorias went back to Gabby and laid his giant head in her lap. "Are you ok?"

"Just some minor scrapes. No big deal." The imagine of Stranger laying dead flashed through my mind. I had to fight back tears again.

"Where's...." Weather it was the look on my face or Snape's that cut her off I would never know or ever ask.

"Miss Winters. Back to the dormitory with you. The rest of the students are being herded up now. Your prefects will be doing a head count. Be sure you are present." Snape had returned to his normal cold self.

"Yes Professor." Gabby went to take her leave.
"No Artorias. You need to stay here." She pointed at the ground.
"It's ok Gabby. Take him with you if you don't mind. I'll send a note and see if Hagrid minds watching after him for a few hours."
"No need for that. I'll look after him." She his scratched his ears. Artorias looked at Gabby with that same protective instinct Stranger looks at me with. Looked.
"Thanks Gabs." I gave her a half smile.