Eleanor Snape- Book 4

An Owl Saves Petigrew

The next night my Father and I talked more theory then actually performing. that day I had pushed myself, working hard all day. At about five o'clock I stumbled into the house with an intense head ache. Then the next thing I knew, spots were taking over my vision. I blinked a couple times. The third time I opened m eyes back up, I was on the ground. Petigrew, to my misfortune, was the only room in the room, so when he saw me, all he did was lazily call for Uncle Severus. When my Uncle finally got there, he helped me off the ground, after getting Orion, who was frantically licking my face, off my chest. He asked me what I had been doing and I told him; Running, lifting, climbing. Basically anything that I thought would enhance my fitness. Then he asked when the last time I had eaten or drinken anything was. I came to the realization that I hadn't since six that morning. He deemed that I was dehydrated and told me to take it easy for the rest of the day before sending me into the kitchen to eat.

My Father agreed with my uncle, saying I had pushed myself too hard.

"do you have any other questions?" My father asked me near the end of his visit.

"Yeah, but it doesn't have to do with my training." I replied. I had to ask him about something that had been weighing on my mind all day. "Yesterday, after I came back form the Manor, Narcissa Malfoy and Bellatrix LaStrange was there. And I came in while Narcissa and Uncle Severus were holding each other's hand, almost like a hand shake. And Bellatrix was beside them, with light coming from her wand. The light wrapped around their hands... what was that?"

"Sound like an Unbreakable Vow to me." My father mumbled.

"A what?"

"Tell me, did either of them make a promise before they did it? Or during it?"

"I don't know. I got there at the end of it. But Uncle Severus said something about protecting Draco..."

"That could be it."

"But what's an Unbreakable Vow? Is it exactly what it states?"

"Yes. If Severus mad an Unbreakable Vow to protect Draco, it sounds like he did, then he has to go through on it."

"Why? What makes in unbreakable?"

"If he doesn't follow through on it, bad things will happen."

"Like?"

"Death."

"Dea..." I trailed off in mid word. I didn't want Uncle Severus to protect Draco. He was a git. It wasn't' hard to put two and two together to see that this Vow and Draco's 'special mission' from You-Know-Who was related; if only I knew what it was Uncle Severus had to know to be able to protect him. "So what you're say is, if Draco gets hurt, Uncle Severus will die?"

"Yes, basically."

I thought for another moment. This could end really badly. If Uncle Severus were to die, where would it leave me? I wouldn't have anywhere to go. Of course, I was almost an adult, so in the Ministry's eyes, I wouldn't matter much. But I  would be helpless. I don't know how to cook or anything! And-

Suddenly, the lights flickered and my father sighed.

"Looks like that's it for now." he put his wand into his robes. "Tomorrow, we will meet the same as always. Goodbye."

Before i could reply, everything went dark. I opened my eyes to be greeted by my bedroom. Oddly, light was coming through the window in bold streaks. Had I slept in? I picked my watch up off my nightstand; 8:34. Yes, I had.

Annoyed, I got up and went into the sitting room. Uncle Severus was sitting in one of the chairs, reading the Daily Prophet and drinking coffee. It must have been his second or third cup, because the house was already filled with the smell of brewing potions. He had been up for a while. Petigrew was sitting in the other chair. I went to Uncle Severus, brushing some hair out of my eyes with my hand.

"Why did you let me sleep in?" I questioned.

"Because, you trained enough yesterday to be worth three days! You need to rest yourself." He took a sip of coffee.

"Make the lazy thing do something!" Petigrew exclaimed from his seat. I shot him a nasty look while Orion, who was laying at my uncle's feet, stood up and growled.

"That is enough, Peter." Uncle Severus warned.

"Hey, I'm just trying to help you out." The git shrugged. I took a step towards him, readying my fists. But before I could throw it all at him, my arm was grabbed by my Uncle.

"Your temper, Eleanor. You need to control yourself...as hard as it may be."

"But..."

"I know. here." He handed the half full coffee cup to me and got up. "I have a potion to finish brewing. So you won't be left here with, um, undesirables, I will allow you to go outside and walk Orion. No training today. No running. Only walking. I don't want you to overexert yourself again. Do I make myself clear?"

"Fine." I agreed. Anything was better then sitting here with Petigrew.

"But have some breakfast first."

.....................................................................

After walking about an hour or so with Orion, I came back to the house. Uncle Severus was still in the kitchen, brewing potions. Petigrew was no where to be found. Orion sprinted into the kitchen to, undoubtedly to lick Uncle Severus.

I stretched, loosening my muscles a bit, before going over to my piano...Only, it wasn't where it always was. It was pushed into the corner in a sloppy fashion. I went into the kitchen to join Uncle Severus and Orion.

"Did you move my piano?" I asked, grabbing an apple form the fruit basket on the counter. Uncle Severus was looked confused.

"I didn't move it. Where is it?"

"In the corner. See?" I led my Uncle back into the sitting room.

"Did..." He trailed off. "Petigrew!" He yelled through the house as I sat down at my stool and hit middle C. For a moment, I though I hit the wrong key, so I checked again. It was hitting the right key...but it was the wrong sound. My piano was out of tune!

"Yes?" Petigrew came down from the stairs that were between the bookshelves.

"Why is Eleanor's piano over here?"

"Because it was in the way over there." He explained.

"How so?" My Uncle sharply asked.

"I keep stubbing my toe on it. now I don't have to worry about it. " Petgrew replied with a duh sort of tone.

"Now, it is out of tune because of you!" I yelled, letting my anger show. He shrugged.

"So?" He smarted off. That was it. I coudlnt' handle it any longer! I-

Suddenly, an Owl got all of our attention by pecking on the window. Uncle Severus used his wand to let it in. The creature flew over and landed on the piano. Uncle Severus picked up the letter, I could see it had the Hogwarts seal on it, but it wasn't addressed to me; it was addressed to 'Mr. Severus Snape.'

My Uncle opened it, slight curiosity showing on his face. after reading it over, the sides of his lips formed a small sort of smile.

"What?" I asked. Instead of replying, he handed the letter to me.

"Hey, don't I get to see?" Peter exclaimed. We both ignored him as I started to read the letter as well. When I finished, I sat the latter down on the piano next to the owl. I couldn't' hold back the proud smile that was playing on my face. It was the staff letter for Hogwarts. Since Umbridge was no longer Defense Against the Dark Arts teacher, a new one was needed. And who else was better suited for the job then the Half Blood Prince himself?