The Potions Master's Apprentice {Severus Snape x OC}

Chapter Twelve: Igor Karkaroff

The sun rose in the horizon marking another weekend at Hogwarts. Saturdays were always bittersweet for Aria as she often found herself feeling alone without the pleasure of teaching to keep herself occupied. The majority of students usually spent the weekends at Hogsmeade and with the current situation of Severus not speaking to her, the castle felt lonelier still. Of course, she enjoyed her afternoon tea with Minerva and her short visits with Hagrid but other than that Miss Dumbledore found herself with nothing more to do than roam the grounds aimlessly. Though a lonely task, Aria loved discovering places she had never been before, and something could be said of the small moments of solitude she relished in.

On this particular Saturday Aria found herself with evening plans to occupy her nightly boredom, yet the day seemed long and there was much time to fill before leaving for Hogsmeade.

Looking out the castle window onto the vast land surrounding the building, a deep sigh escaped the woman's perfectly painted lips. Rain battered down the window, drenching and water logging the grassland that she had previously wished to explore.
Today's going to be a long day. Aria thought to herself, turning away from the window and disappearing back into the castle.

After an hour of fidgeting and pretending to read in the arm chair of her quarters, Aria came to the conclusion she was not going to settle. The room was too cold, to dull and too empty to stay in any longer. Grabbing a sketchbook and quill the young professor made her way to the great hall. The sound of student's laughter as she approached the halls was music to her ears.
Though not quite as full as it was at meal times the room was filled with students of all ages from both Hogwarts and the visiting schools. A small group of Professors were scattered around the room, most on duty, or else they would have chosen to spend their Saturdays elsewhere.

Aria neared the Professors table of the hall, planning to sit on the opposite end of Hagrid and Madam Maxime, headmistress of Beauxbatons, as they seemed deep in conversation and not to be disturbed.
Pulling out her sketchbook it was then Aria Dumbledore noticed the black clad figure stalking the room, marching between each of the four tables, scolding any child acting as they shouldn't.
At first Aria felt a smile threaten to form on her face before she remembered he would not be nearly as happy to see her. Keeping her head down she stared intently at the paper, tapping her empty quill relentlessly as she thought of something to draw.
Looking ahead of her she begun with the four tables filled with students, no more inspiration popping into her head.

Finally becoming lost in her own little world, Aria was startled by the booming voice appearing next to her.
"Lovely drawing." He spoke, taking the empty seat next to her.

"Professor Karkaroff." Aria forced a smile. "I don't think we've had the pleasure of being formally introduced."

"You are correct, my dear, we have not. Though I am very aware of who you are." He smirked, shifting to the edge of his seat to get closer to the young woman.

"You do?" She questioned, putting a little bit more space between herself and the Headmaster.

"Of course!" He exclaimed. "Everyone has heard the rumours of Albus Dumbledore's granddaughter. But to see you in the flesh? Well that is a pleasure indeed!" He cackled, leaning further over her shoulder.

"I'm glad you think so, professor." Aria laughed nervously.

"Igor, please." He corrected, resting a heavily calloused hand on her arm.

"Is there anything I can do for you... Igor?... Now that we have been properly introduced." The potions apprentice spoke gingerly. Something about this man had always seemed off to her, and from the interaction she witnessed with Severus her suspicions only worsened.