Counting Stars || Poppy Snape

CHAPTER 4

After dinner I left the Great Hall, ignoring the annoying calls of who I think was yet another Weasley, saying for the first years to follow him.

I sighed and waited outside the door, having no idea where the study was. I kept thinking that if Dumbledore was such a great wizard, why didn't he make a map of Hogwarts or something. Like thanks for the note and all, but how am I supposed to meet him in his study when I don't even know where I was. Wizards were confusing.

"So, Snape's Duaghter is a Gryffindor, what a dissapointment"

It was the boy who had laughed at me at the train station. He had very short curly hair which looked like tiny spaggetis. Actually no, more like Mac and Cheese.

"Haha Cassius, looks like the cat ate her tongue."

They all snorted stupidly, and I was ready to stand up for myself, but before I could even open my mouth a dark figure was standing behind them. I smirked and gave them a knowing look.

"Mr. Warrington, Mr. Bole. What a shame to get a detention the first night back."

I saw the colour leave their faces as they froze in their spots. Obviously terrified for their lives.

"Meet me in the classroom. I needed someone to clean the cauldrons before lessons tomorrow."

They simply nodded, but as they passed by my side they shot me killer looks to which I returned with an innocent smile. Turning to face Father I started telling him,

"Thanks for tha-"

"I didn't do that because you were my daughter." He said not even making eye contact with me.

"But, Fa-"

"During school hours it's Professor Snape." He replied in his usual monotone, still not meeting my eyes.

I gulped and asked him for directions to Dumbledore's study. He pointed towards a corridor on the left and told me to turn right after the stairs, as well as saying something about Soda Pop.

I nodded and started heading towards the stairs. As I was leaving, I heard him sigh and say "Look Popp-"

But I didn't even turn around to face him.

"It's Miss. Snape during school hours."

***

"Come in," said Skinny Santa Claus as I opened the door. I saw him sitting at his desk calmly, reading the Daily Prophet which had moving pictures.

"Ah, Poppy. It's so nice to finally meet you in person."

I nodded and took a seat in front of him before he could offer it to me. But he didn't seem to mind, in fact he seemed amused.

"Well, how are you?" He said with a twinkling in his eyes.

"Fine" I replied looking around the room, not really caring about what Dumbledore would say to me. But surprisingly he didn't utter a single word. He just stood there, staring at me as if I was the most curious thing in the world.

It was him to break the silence after a couple of minutes. "You don't have to have your occlumency shields up around me. I find it rather disrespectful to look into someone's mind without their permission."

I gave him a look of confusion. "I- I'm sorry, I don't know what your talking about"

"Oh" He said simply and casually. But his expression said otherwise. He had a look of pure delight on his face.

"Um, Skinn- I mean, Dumbledore. Is there a reason why you called me here tonight?" I said starting to get annoyed at him.

"There is indeed." And then for a slight moment, I saw him hesitate. But as if I had imagined it, he set his expression back to calm as he continued "I wanted to talk to you about catching you up to speed with your classmates."

I rolled my eyes, thinking of the nice and comfortable bed I could be lying on right now. "And it couldn't have waited till tomorrow?"

"Yes, you're right. I expect that you will recieve your timetable tomorrow at the Great Hall along with everyone else. I'm sorry for making you come here tonight."

With that he signalled to the door, meaning that I could leave. So I got up and started heading out, thinking what a waste of time this had been. But part of me couldn't stop wondering about that moment of hesitation back in Santa Claus's study. What had he really wanted to say to me?