A Magic Stronger Than Darkness ~ Book 2: Forever & Always

Chapter 20 ~ Disciplinary Actions

Madam Pomfrey sent Draco and I to Snape's office when we had finished aiding her in the hospital wing, although part of me wished we could just stay there until everyone else returned to school. Honestly, I would sooner take another set of bruised ribs than receive a tongue lashing from Professor Snape. His words somehow had the power to cut deeper than any blade ever could, and though I had never experienced the Potions Master "raking me over the coals" or "giving me the third degree" so to speak, I had heard several stories from Harry and Ron that had helped to discourage me from doing anything wrong in front of the Head of Slytherin House.

Snape was waiting for us silently when we arrived at his door. Draco knocked only once before entering, and I hesitantly followed him inside the cramped but intricately decorated room. The raven-haired professor wasted no time for pleasantries, barely giving us a second to sit down before flying into his interrogation and lecture.

"Speak..." He murmured firmly, pressing his fingers together over his desk.

Swallowing hard, I began to tell him of the events of the day, starting with Umbridge summoning everyone to her office and ending with our return to the castle. The only part I left out of our tale was my animagus abilities, since I didn't know if Dumbledore wanted the Potions Master to know about that detail just yet. Every now and then, Draco would expand on concepts or events I had simply glossed over at first, explaining our experiences in further detail.

Once we had finished speaking, Snape opened his mouth to reprimand us.

"What you two did was very irresponsible. You could've gotten yourselves killed, or worse..." He sneered. His piercing brown eyes focused intently on me then, sending a cold chill down my spine. "Miss Dovefeather, I would've thought that after all that occurred last year, you would've considered your actions more carefully before proceeding. Surely you do not have a yearning to die young, do you?"

I shook my head, shamefully looking down at my hands in my lap while I fiddled with my rings.

"All you Gryffindors and your brave impulses...it's as though you intentionally find ways to break the rules and put yourselves and others in imminent danger." He added, and I could still feel his gaze boring into me. "Of all the students in your house, I believed you to have the most common sense. I did not imagine you would do something so utterly stupid..."

Still I remained silent, sad that I had disappointed the man before me. Unlike most of my housemates, I didn't hate Professor Snape. I respected him, but I was also intimidated by him.

The Head of Slytherin House reeled on Draco next, although my boyfriend stared at our professor defiantly. Gray and chocolate eyes met in a shared glare of annoyance.

"As for you, Mr. Malfoy, I am deeply disappointed in you for going along with this silly idea. Especially given your father's position...in the Ministry..." Snape paused as though he wanted to say more, and Draco stared back at him evenly.

"Go on then, we all know what you want to say, Professor. Veronica and I witnessed the proof just a couple hours ago..."

Though Draco had started off cockily, his words had gradually faded to those of a defeated young man.

"Very well, Draco...I'm sure you are aware that the Dark Lord would not have hesitated to kill you, regardless of your father's ongoing loyalty to him. You are the brightest student in Slytherin House, and I cannot fathom why you thought charging into the Ministry in pursuit of Death Eaters, likely including your father, was a good idea..." Snape's expression was hard and unyielding, though I could sense that under the tough exterior, his words were stemming from someplace within where he cared for us and the rest of his students. Perhaps he even cared for Harry and the others. Draco shrugged, clearly spent after the day's events.