Black's Daughter and the Half-Blood Prince [Book 2]

Tell Me

A couple of days had passed and just like Hermione and Hagrid, who also had bad stories written about them in that trashy Daily Prophet, Alecto also got hate mail. . .

At first she was quite suspicious of what the letters would say so she opened a few but decided to not open any more as most read—

We always knew there was something off about you, honestly just as pathetic as your murderous father.

Or–

Seducing Snape now are we? You can't get any weirder, he's like old enough to be your father.

It hurt a little but she tried to brush off the letters
However some were hard to avoid as a few were howlers. . .

She tore up the letters and threw them away just before leaving for breakfast, as she walked into the Great Hall a few heads turned her way, it was uncomfortable but she had to deal with it, she had already missed two days school, making up some excuse that she wasn't feeling well, where she was actually just scared. . .

She lowered her head to avert from all the awkward glances and walked to the Slytherin table, there was no sight of Alex, immediately she regretted coming down for breakfast, but she had to stay, she would've looked like a coward if she just rushed out.

She slowly took a seat at one end of the table, minding her own business and putting some food on her plate so she'd finally eat something other than snacks in her dorm like she had been doing the last few days to avoid more contact with people.

She didn't see Harry, Ron and Hermione, they must've already eaten.

While quietly minding her business a couple of girls sat opposite her, "Aren't you that girl? Alex Black, from the Daily Prophet?" The one spoke up.

Alecto looked up at them, "Actually, it's Alecto."

"So you have your eye on Snape?"

The girl frowned, "No. . . It's just a stupid rumor." She lied.

One of the girls snorted and they continued minding their own business.

Alecto ate quickly and got up and left for class, this was why she hated people, kids were so overly childish.

The day passed extremely slowly, some of the teachers treated her rather oddly (or she might've imagined it) but to her luck at least one didn't, which was Moody, he seemed pretty normal and carried on with his lessons as usual.

Lunch came, she avoided it, Potions came, she skipped it.

By dinner she made her way to the hall again and luckily Alex sat next to her so no one really bothered her.

Halfway through dinner Alecto was finishing her meal when she heard Snape's voice behind her.
"Miss Black, you missed my class today."

Her face reddened slightly as her eyes widened, a couple of kids turned their way to see if they could spot anything that confirmed the rumors between them.

"Y-yes I did..."

"Follow me."

She turned to him horrified, didn't he realise how it would look if she followed him out of the hall!?

"S-sir I can't—"

"Now, Black."

Alecto watched him walk off and she waited a few seconds before she got up and walked out after him, Alex gave her a pitiful look as she left, Alecto soon caught up with Snape.

"Are you mad!? Don't you know what they're saying about us!?"

A soft frown appeared on Severus' face, "It's no reason to miss your classes, you've missed two days, and—"

"DON'T ACT LIKE YOU CARE ABOUT ME OR MY EDUCATION!"

"IF YOU REALLY CARED YOU WOULDN'T HAVE ASKED ME TO FOLLOW YOU OUT! DON'T YOU KNOW WHAT THEY'D SAY? DON'T YOU KNOW HOW MEAN KIDS CAN BE?!"

"You know I know about that, Black!"

"Then why aren't you trying to let me not experience that!?" Her voice broke.

"Alecto, there is nothing I can do for you. I can't simply make kids forget about what they read."

A soft whimper escaped the girl, "I'm not going to come to your classes for a while. So don't expect me there." She turned and rushed off.

*

The next day Alecto received a letter from Sirius, he asked her if she wanted to go see him and she decided she needed to have a heart to heart. . .

She made her way to the shrieking shack and went inside and saw her father.
In his hands she saw the Daily Prophet article about her.

She gave him a sad look and looked down at her feet.

"How on earth did this happen?" He asked softly, Alecto shook her head and whimpered.
"I called her work shoddy... and she came up with some bad things about me– I'm sorry."

Sirius sighed deeply, "Alecto if the ministry would try to contact you about my whereabouts, things could get messy."

"I know. . ."

"And now this thing with you and Snape. . . Alecto you have to remember, he's twice your age– you both could get into serious trouble–"

"Things are over between us."

He looked at her shocked, "What?"

"He ended our relationship."

Her father frowned softly, "When?"

"A few days before the article. . ."

"Alecto—"

He reached out to take her hand but she pulled away from him, "I can handle this myself."

"Alecto I just want to be here for you. . . I don't want to see you like this."

His daughter looked at him, her green eyes filled with sadness, "It's all my fault– I started the fights, I was trying to vouch for Harry and Hermione and I just ruined my relationship, I really like him dad..." tears started rolling down the girls cheek and her father pulled her into his arms.

"Don't blame yourself Alecto. . ."
"Severus has always been the harsh kind, it's not easy to get him to understand or care, but you got him to care, and now you just have to help him understand."

A few seconds later, after processing what her father had said she sniffled and looked up at him, "Okay... I'll speak with him tomorrow."

*

The next day Alecto made her way to Severus' quarters, she hoped he'd be there, she knocked on his door and just as she was about to leave he opened it.

"Alecto." He spoke softly, but sternly.

"Can I speak with you?"

His brow furrowed softly and he stepped aside, allowing her to go inside.
The young girl stepped into his quarters and turned to him as he closed the door.

"I want you to tell me what you know about my past—"

*
Hi guys, sorry for the late update, I wrote a few tests last week and had to finish a History essay today, its a short chapter and I hope its not too horrible.

Have a great day!

~ S