Armilla

Chapter 24

As I lay in bed, I kept mentally pushing away all thoughts that threatened to bring fear or some kind of powerful emotion with it. I would admit that it was not all that easy, but I had heard Merle once use the expression "to keep one at arm's length" and I used this as the basis of my mental weapon.

I kept imagining myself with a steel arm that could force away anything and every time an overwhelming thought slipped into my mind I forced it out again. It didn't always work, but hopefully practice would fix that. I didn't want to stand in front of my father or Snape weak-kneed and trembling out of fright. I wanted to be strong and indifferent. Whatever my father had to say, I wanted to be able to take it without being affected by it. I knew this whole thing would be much harder if I allowed myself to feel all the emotional stress that went with it. So, I was going to try my best to keep this relationship with my father at arm's length.

After finally falling asleep, I knew I dreamed all night, but I remembered nothing when I woke up. My clock said it was 8:12 am and I decided to get up and amuse myself somehow rather than lay in bed thinking. There were soft snores coming from Lisa's bed, so I tiptoed past her to the bathroom to take a shower.

When I emerged from the bathroom, Lisa was the only one still in bed. I was glad I had allowed plenty of time to get ready because once I had dried myself off and was standing in front of my wardrobe in my dressing gown, I realised I had no idea what to wear.

I heard a bed creak behind me and I turned to see Lisa sitting up and rubbing her eyes.

"Morning," I said, turning back to stare at my clothes.

"Morning, Mill. Ooh, today's the big day."

"Mm." I continued to stare.

Lisa put on mock snobby voice. "Oh dear, what does one wear to a rendezvous to meet one's father?"

"No idea," I said. "I never even thought about it until this morning. It's just morning tea."

"Well it doesn't have to be that formal then," said Lisa, getting out of bed. She came over to look inside the wardrobe. "Well, you have plenty of clothes," she said. "This shouldn't be that hard."

Half an hour later, I was finally dressed and ready to go. After only a few changes, we had settled on a knee-length black skirt with a burgundy top under one of my black robes. I pulled some of my dark hair back and left the rest hanging loosely down my back. I tucked the necklace with the pearl Snape had given me under my top. I didn't really want my father to notice it.

Lisa took a step back and looked me up and down. "You look beautiful as always," she said, grinning. I scowled at her before breaking into a smirk.

Lisa shut her eyes.

"Don't do that," she said. "You look like your brother when you frown."

"Oh, I do not," I said, rolling my eyes.

After Lisa had dressed, we met Terry in the common room and made our way to the Great Hall for breakfast. I was not hungry at all. I was trying hard again not to let my nerves surface.

"You have to eat something, Mill," said Lisa.

"Yeah," Terry agreed. "Imagine your father saying "pleased to meet you" and your stomach grumbled in reply!"

The thought petrified me so much I nearly knocked over the milk jug as I grabbed a piece of toast.

Terry smirked. "I knew that would get you eating."

Like yesterday, people still couldn't disguise their curiosity. Ravenclaws up and down the table kept sneaking peaks and whispering to their friends, while certain Gryffindors and Hufflepuffs just stared. At one point I saw Hermione Granger elbow Ron Weasley hard in the arm before he looked away to tell her off instead. Next to Ron, Harry Potter seemed to have realised he was staring too because when our eyes met he went slightly pink and quickly looked down at his plate instead.

Snape wasn't at the staff table and I supposed he must have eaten breakfast earlier. I did catch Dumbledore's eyes though and he winked at me, smiling slightly. Further along, Professor Umbridge was looking extremely put out about something and I hoped that whatever it was, it was giving her some kind of mental or physical pain.

At five to ten, I said goodbye to my friends at the top of the stairs that led down to the dungeons. Terry squeezed my arm and Lisa squeezed my hand, not wanting to make a scene in front of passing students. They both whispered a "good luck" and I turned to go down the stairs.

With every step towards Snape's, no Severus' office, my stomach threatened to start its somersault act, but I mentally stretched out the steel arm and did my best to push it away. It was a little weaker after that, but still there.

Snape opened the door before I had a chance to knock, wearing his usual black robes under a travelling cloak. He nodded at me as he turned to lock his office door.

"Hem, hem."

Snape froze, his lips pursed. We both turned around to see Dolores Umbridge standing in front of us in the deserted corridor. She was wearing her fluffy pink cardigan and Alice band in her hair. She looked ridiculous as she fixed her face with a simpering smile. She ignored me altogether and addressed Snape.

"I have recently discovered Professor Snape, having been informed by the Minister for Magic himself, that this young lady here is your sister." Umbridge waved her hand towards me.

"Yes, she is," Snape replied, folding his arms, staring straight at her.

Umbridge looked a bit put out for a second, obviously wanting more details. She recovered herself quickly.

"Am I to understand, Professor Snape, that you're now guardian of this child?" She waved her arm at me again. I pursed my own lips. This child?

"Yes," said Snape again.

"Right," said Umbridge, sweetly. "I hope having a child to look after will not interfere with your teaching, Professor."

"Why would it?" said Snape, glancing briefly at me. "I hardly expect that Armilla will need my attention at every minute of the day."

Umbridge grinned widely, making her look quite startling. "Of course not," she said. "I merely meant that I hope your family life will not...interfere with your teaching."

Snape sneered. "I have no intention of letting anything interfere with my teaching. My private family life will remain just that - private."

Umbridge's smiled faltered. I guessed she got the gist that Snape wasn't about to share any information with her. She drew herself up to her full height, which was still shorter than me, and spoke in a professional tone.

"I understand that you are taking this student off the Hogwarts grounds today."

"Yes," Snape replied, a bite of impatience in his voice.

"Then I hope you have followed the regular procedure that parents or guardians take when taking a student out of school for the day and have signed the student out?"

"Of course," said Snape, sneering slightly. "Professor, you must excuse us, we will be very late if we do not leave at once." He took my wrist to make me move in front of him so we could move past Umbridge in the corridor.

Umbridge looked put out again, but neither of us stopped to wait for an answer. I walked in front of Snape until we had climbed the stairs up to the Entrance Hall. A few students standing around watched us curiously and I followed Snape to the front door. However, a few snide glances from Snape stopped the students staring and sent them on their way.

Once outside, I walked next to Snape as we went down the front steps. I decided he would tell me where we were going when he was ready. You never knew who might be listening.

I saw one of the school carriages up ahead and stopped short when I saw a strange looking creature attached to it. It was grey and bony and...hideous. I wondered where the thing had come from - the school carriages always seemed to pull themselves along.

Having realised I had stopped, Snape turned around a few paces in front of me, looking impatient.

"Come," he said. "We will be late and our father does not look kindly on tardiness."

I took a few steps, still staring at the weird creatures. Snape seemed to realise what was bothering me as he looked from me to the creatures.

"Ah," he said. "I had forgotten you would be able to see those now."

I started to walk next to him again, still watching the strange things. "Why can I see them now?"

"Because you have seen death," he replied, his voice low. "They are called Thestrals and they are only visible to people who have actually seen death. Your mother wouldn't have counted because you didn't actually see her die."

"Oh," I replied, feeling a little unnerved.

When we reached the carriage Snape waved his hand and the door flew open. He gestured for me to get in first and I climbed in, feeling weird about the creatures that would be moving us. Snape climbed in after me.

"Be grateful you're not physically riding the beast," he said thoughtfully, as if thinking of another memory. "That's worse."

I smiled slightly. It wasn't that bad.

As the carriage started to move, I glanced out the window back at Hogwarts, wishing I was inside with Lisa and Terry.

"Dolores Umbridge is obviously on the lookout for information," said Snape, also looking through the window at Hogwarts. "We shall have to be very careful."

"I think all the students know by now," I said, looking back at him.

Snape didn't seem surprised. "And how did they find out?"

"Malfoy decided to let it slip in the doorway of the Great Hall yesterday, where students from all the houses could hear him. By the end of lunch, I think everyone knew."

He shook his head slightly. "And how did they all react?"

"Well, not many people have really said anything to me. They all just looked shocked. It seems that most of the Ravenclaws don't care.'

Snape raised an eyebrow. "And the others?"

"The Hufflepuffs and Gryffindors can't believe it. I'm not sure what to make of the Slytherins."

Snape scoffed. "You're not meant to understand the Slytherins. That's why they're Slytherins."

I said nothing.

Snape changed the subject. "We're going to the Three Broomsticks. Madam Rosmerta is going to let us floo using her fireplace in her backroom. Dumbledore arranged it with her. At that point, Umbridge didn't know and we do know that she is watching the fireplaces. We don't want her keeping track of our movements. Hopefully we will be able to arrange a legal portkey next time."

I nodded.

"I can guarantee you Father will be watching you very closely today," he went on. "It is best if you try and remain as indifferent as possible to every comment."

"That's what I planned," I said quietly, more to myself.

Snape looked sideways at me. "You've been preparing for this, have you?"

I gave a small shrug. "Not really."

He turned to face me. "It will be fine as long as you show him the proper respect and decorum that he expects. Just remember that you are to call me by my first name in front of him."

"Yes, sir." I looked down at my hands. Steel arm. Steel arm...push emotion away...

I became aware that Snape was still watching me. I looked back at him, doing my best to look indifferent. Snape would probably know what I was feeling anyway - I mean, he was the other child of Aurelius Snape.

A few minutes later the carriage had stopped outside the Three Broomsticks and we got out. I followed Snape inside and I saw Rosmerta nod her head slightly at us as she dealt with a customer. This must have indicated her permission for us to enter the room at the back at the pub because Snape made directly for the door.

Once we were inside, Snape strode purposefully to the fireplace and seized a handful of floo powder from a pot on a nearby table. He indicated for me to do the same.

"I'll go first," he said. "You follow directly after, alright?"

"Alright," I said, swallowing.

He nodded as he dropped the powder into the fire and said "Snape Manor!"

A second later he was gone. I gave it a few seconds before I stepped into the fire and repeated the same process. As I whizzed through many fireplaces, I kept the steel arm image in my mind, trying to control my nerves.

At last I came to a halt and I stepped out of huge, extremely fancy fireplace. Snape was a few feet away, removing the ash from his robes with a spell. Looking up at me when he finished, he pointed his wand at my robes and repeated the same spell.

"Master Severus," came a high pitched voice. "How simply delightful to see you."

We both turned to see a House Elf standing on the opposite side of the room. We were in what I guessed was one of the many parlours in the house. The room was richly furnished and only a glance told me my father was very rich.

The House Elf's tone suggested that he didn't think it was that delightful to see Snape at all. It seemed to have a permanent sneer on its wrinkly little face.

"Jiffy," said Snape, sneering at the creature. "Kindly announce our presence to Father, would you?"

"No need, no need," said a deep voice, deeper than Snape's. I looked up from Jiffy to see a tall man coming through the open door on the other side of the room. He looked to be in his late sixties. He had a hooked nose, much like Snape's, and long, dark grey hair that fell loosely down his back. His wrinkled face was cleanly shaven and his black eyes were cold as he looked down at the elf.

"That will be all, Jiffy," he sneered.

"Yes, sir. Jiffy is going now, sir," Jiffy squeaked, bowing so low he scraped his long nose across the rug. He scampered out of the room.

Snape put his arm on my back and pushed me forward gently as we moved to the other side where Father was standing.

His eyes were on me. Completely fixed on me as if I was a new subject of prey. Steel arm...steel arm.

I felt my confidence grow slightly, and I raised my eyes to meet his. They were just as cold as when they had been fixed on the elf.

"Armilla," he said, holding out his hand.

Thinking he wanted me to shake it, I took it. Instead of shaking it, he pulled me closer to him and kissed my cheek instead. I fought back a shudder.

Not letting go of my hand, Father looked at me. "I was delighted to find out about you," he said. "Much too late, of course. If my dear wife was alive there would be consequences to pay for hiding you from me."

I didn't say anything. What could I say? Out of the corner of my eye, I saw Snape standing close by.

"But now I know and that's the main thing," Father continued. "I wanted a new heir." He nodded at Snape, as if just realising he was even there. "I disowned Severus. An ungrateful, disloyal child if there ever was one." He glared at Snape, who stared back at him indifferently.

He looked back at me. "But you will be different. You will not have your mother here to baby you. I highly doubt that Severus will baby you, so I hope you will prove a suitable heiress to the Snape fortune. Come, brunch will be served in the breakfast room."

Snape and I followed him out the door, along a corridor that had many portraits of hooked nose men and into a lavish breakfast room. It was a brightly lit room, with a round table that could seat twelve people. The windows looked out onto a cobbled courtyard.

The table was set for three, and Snape and I waited as Father seated himself.

He looked me up and down. "You're small for a fifteen year old," he said. "Your mother's genes there, I suppose. But there is no doubt we'll fetch a high price for you."

"A ...high price?" I asked. Oh God...

"You're the heiress to a large fortune, child, and not only are you a pureblood, you are a member of a very old wizarding family. I can guarantee you once you have been presented to wizarding society wizards will be flocking here offering money to have their sons marry you."

"Oh," I said. What the hell?

"Well, sit down you two," said Father. "I didn't invite you here to watch me eat."

We both sat, as Father flicked his wand to make the teapots pour steaming tea into our cups.

"And to cap it all off, Severus," Father went on, "I would say she's quite attractive, wouldn't you agree?"

Snape paused, his hand outstretched towards his cup. He looked at me quickly, glaring slightly, though I supposed the glare wasn't actually intended for me.

"Of course," he replied, picking up his cup. "Though I believe a brilliant mind is more important, Father."

"Of course you do," said Father, watching his son closely. "From what you've told me, your sister possesses a promising mind." He looked over at me. "As long as she knows when to apply it and when to do as she is told."

I met his gaze. What a git.

"Tell me child, are you in acquaintance with many pureblood witches and wizards at Hogwarts?"

"Yes, I am," I replied.

"And do you find many of the young pureblood wizards promising?"

Now I was uncomfortable. I just met the man and all he wanted to know about was my love life.

"Not really," I replied.

"She's only fifteen, Father. I think her studies are more important than adolescent wizards," said Snape, sourly.

"I'm sure you do, Severus. I'm thinking of the future."

"Then why not talk about her career?" Snape pressed him.

"Because that is not important, Severus. Her role will be to marry a respectable pureblood wizard and produce an heir."

Oh dear God...What was wrong with this man? I was fifteen and he was talking about me reproducing?

"Well, plenty of my friends have an interest in you Armilla. Lucius Malfoy has been asking after you. Don't roll your eyes at me, Severus."

Ah, so Draco Malfoy was interested. That would put Pansy's nose out of joint.

The morning tea went on much the same with me giving small, polite answers as Father chattered away and Snape fumed silently. When Snape finally announced we had better be getting back to Hogwarts, Father actually looked a bit disappointed.

"I look forward to having you stay here, child. I could teach you all about what it is to be a Snape. Your brother is not worthy of the name."

Snape pursed his lips as he grabbed my left wrist. My Father took my right wrist as he leaned forward to kiss me again. As Father's lips hit my cheek I could practically feel Snape's fury as he squeezed my left hand.

"Goodbye, child. I hope to see you soon."

"Goodbye," I said.

I waited for Snape to say goodbye or for Father to say goodbye to him, but Father turned back to the table and Snape marched from the room, pulling me along with him. He held my hand so tightly I thought he would break it.

When we were back in the parlour, he thrust floo powder into my hand. I stepped back into the fireplace, said "The Three Broomsticks" and was soon whizzing through fireplaces once more on my way back to Hogsmeade.