The Seventh Year

All Eyes on Snape

The three spent the rest of their Hogsmeade trip inside the Three Broomsticks, discussing the sword and plotting the best way to steal it. Ginny wanted to walk in and grab it. She already knew the password and was eager to get it over with. Luna's idea was a more tactful approach; she wanted to keep an eye on Snape's movements for a day or two and then go in and grab the sword. Neville agreed with Luna's idea more. 

Flitwick had returned and marched towards their table. "Ms Weasley, please come with me," he said as he waved her over. "Professor Snape wants to see you." Ginny side-eyed her friends and gathered her coat and scarf. She gave them a nervous glance as she followed the small professor out of the inn. 

The sun was beginning to set, and darkness would soon fall over them. They'll be leaving Hogsmeade soon, she thought. I might as well meet Luna and Neville back in the tower then.

Ginny reluctantly went with Flitwick to Snape's office. She slowly trudged up to the castle. Flitwick even noticed her sluggish movement. He made an I'm sorry" face at her and continued to lead her from Hogsmeade. 

She felt a blanket of warmth wrap around her as they entered the castle. She slowly took off her coat and began to unwrap her scarf when Snape stepped out from a hallway, blocking her path. 

"Come with me," he paused, leaving an uncomfortable silence, "Ms Weasley." She walked through the Gargoyle Corridor with him. He muttered, "Lilium."

The moving staircase took them up to the office, and she waited for instructions from Snape before doing anything. She tried to keep her eyes from drifting to the Sword of Gryffindor, but she caught herself staring quite a few times.

Refocusing, she shifted her weight. A voice from above startled her and said, "Just send her to the Carrows already!" Ginny realized the voice belonged to one of the paintings above Snape. "Come on. You've got other matters to attend to." He glared at Ginny and rolled his eyes. 

"Quiet, Phineas," Snape said angrily, holding his fist in the air. Phineas shut up and sat back down in his painting. "I'll punish her how I see fit."His eyes shifted to Ginny. "Sit," he growled. She obeyed and took the seat across from his. 

He himself sat down and reached forwards. He grabbed the quill and ink sitting at the top of his desk. The room was uncomfortably quiet; the only audible sound was the quill scratching along the piece of parchment. 

She began fidgeting slightly, and Snape took notice. "Uncomfortable, are we?" She promptly shook her head, and his mouth almost curled into a smile. "It has come to my attention that you decided it was appropriate to throw butterbeer at Mr Malfoy this afternoon. Is that correct?"

Ginny looked up and swallowed the lump in her throat. It took her a minute, but she eventually replied, "Yes," as directly as possible. She hoped her voice didn't waver or sound frightened.

"Well, you'll have detention..." he began, and her heart beat faster. The Cruciatus Curse would be painful, but she could handle it. The last time the Carrows had used it on her was in October—she threw a piece of garlic bread that was stowed in her pocket at Alecto's head for calling her family blood traitors. She grimaced at the memory. "...with Filch. Wednesday night at eight o'clock in his office." Her head jerked upwards, and he was still writing. "You will also be banned from all future Hogsmeade visits. If I catch you, then you will serve detention with the Carrows next time. Is that clear?" She nodded and waited for her cue to leave. "Get. Out." 

She instantly stood from her seat and went to find Neville and Luna. The castle was quiet as she walked back to the tower, and the paintings were preparing to sleep. A few voices sounded from the end of the corridor.