Armilla

Chapter 26

As Snape and I went into the Entrance Hall, I saw Umbridge charging down the marble staircase. Snape looked up at the ceiling in frustration, as if praying for patience. I kept my eyes on Umbridge, who was made a beeline for us.

"Ah ha!" she said, "so you're back."

Snape raised an eyebrow. "So it would seem," he said.

"Ah," said Umbridge, her eyes darting back and forth between Snape and I. "Ah."

"Is there something you wanted, Dolores?" asked Snape, his voice sounding a little too polite to be genuine.

Umbridge obviously wanted nothing at all, and appeared caught out that she had been watching for our arrival back at the school. She glanced wildly at the students passing by, as if hoping one of them would provide some inspiration for her excuse.

"No, no, Severus," she stuttered, bouncing on her small feet, grinning broadly and making herself seem positively more toad-like than ever. "That will be all."

Snape nodded at her, his lips pursed, and he moved passed her towards the marble staircase.

Avoiding Umbridge's eye, I followed, unsure whether I was supposed to go with him or back to Ravenclaw. Snape made no comment as he turned back and saw me standing behind him, clearly having intended that I would follow. He began to climb the stairs, and I joined him, wondering why he wasn't going back to the dungeons. A moment later it hit me that we were heading for Dumbledore's office. Of course he would want a full report. I was surprised that Snape hadn't told me to go away; I didn't think he liked me hearing all the "adult conversation" that apparently wasn't suitable for a child. I didn't like being thought of as a child.

"Canary Cream," Snape muttered to the stone gargoyle. It sprang to life and we stepped onto the moving staircase.

"Ah, Severus, Armilla," said Dumbledore, putting down his quill as we stepped into his office. He gestured for us to sit down in front of his desk. We both sat, and I noticed that Snape was gripping the arms of his chair more tightly than necessary.

Dumbledore had apparently noticed this as well. "Was it that bad, Severus?" he said, frowning slightly at Snape.

Snape seemed to become aware of his body language and quickly laced his hands in his lap instead. He gave a small shrug. "It was much as I expected," he said. "He is still the same arrogant fool and I couldn't wait to leave the house just to have him out of my sight."

Dumbledore looked fixedly at Snape. "Yes, but you will not have to live with him again, Severus."

Snape must have seen the point Dumbledore was making because he suddenly looked sideways at me, scowling slightly.

"And did you like him, Armilla?" Dumbledore asked, fixing his blue eyes on me.

"No, sir," I said, truthfully. "I thought that he was a chauvinist."

Dumbledore smiled. "Indeed?"

"He's like many other old wizards from pureblood families," said Snape, frowning at no one in particular. "He doesn't see a daughter as much value except for establishing good relations with another pureblood family." He turned to look at me. "Except in your case, there will be more pressure because you are heiress as well."

"But wouldn't it bother him that I can't pass on his name to my children even if I am heiress?" I asked.

"I suppose he has become accustomed to that idea," said Snape, indifferently. "I was his only chance of carrying on the name and he knows that I have no wish to."

Dumbledore chuckled. "Pity you didn't have children, Severus. But I daresay you are a true teacher who looks on at his students as rather his own?"

I pursed my lips, willing myself not to laugh.

Snape rolled his eyes and sneered at Dumbledore. "Don't ever suggest such a thing, Headmaster," he said bitingly. "I teach them. It is not my role to...love them." He looked utterly appalled at the thought.

Dumbledore chuckled again, doing no good for Snape's already questionable temper.

"Did he ask you much about yourself, Armilla?" Dumbledore asked, looking at me again.

"Not a lot, sir," I answered, looking back at him. "He mainly wanted to know about any pureblood boys I might be acquainted with. He didn't care about much else."

"He seems to think Armilla will fetch a good price," said Snape, sneering. "He thinks a career is unnecessary and she should only be skilled in domestic duties as her prime role will be raising children."

Dumbledore frowned and he looked back at me. "So he practically has you married off already?"

"He wants to have her presented at wizard court!" said Snape indignantly. "It's ludicrous, Headmaster. She is fifteen and hasn't even sat for her OWLs yet."

"I think you'll have enough influence to stop Armilla being presented at court, Severus," said Dumbledore, thoughtfully. "I happen to know that it was certainly not Merle's wish to have Armilla presented. But I somehow doubt your father will stop lining up potential suitors from hereon."

"Well she shouldn't be marrying as soon as she leaves Hogwarts, anyway," said Snape, angrily. Gee, the guy certainly was passionate.

"I do believe that is Armilla's decision, Severus," said Dumbledore, smiling slightly.

Yes, it was my decision.

Snape glared at him. He turned to face me, fixing his face with a hard expression.

"Well, you are not to be dating while you're still at school," he said, sharply. "Your studies are to come first. Is that clear?"

No! Not that I had my eye on anyone anyway, I didn't like Snape suddenly putting such restrictions on me.

When I didn't answer, Snape grew angrier. "You can be sure that if you date, the name of that wizard will be found out by Father and depending on his lineage, his life will be put in danger. Do you see my point, child?"

Child. I didn't like that. All the same, Snape did have a point.

"Yes, sir," I said, quietly.

"Good," he said harshly, still glaring at me.

The tension in the room suddenly seemed high.

Dumbledore hastened to move things along. He turned to me.

"Severus and I have been discussing what you should learn before spending time alone with your father, Armilla. I trust that you have been introduced to that extraordinary chocolate frog card?"

"Yes, sir," I said, not looking at Snape. Even though he had made a point, I felt so angry with him. Maybe it was the power he held over me all of a sudden, feeling he had the right to dictate my actions. Ooh, I didn't want Dumbledore seeing those thoughts. Steel arm...steel arm.

"Excellent," said Dumbledore. "For now, Severus will teach you. It will be an excuse to get to know each other anyway." He looked from Snape to me. I was still staring forward and I presumed Snape was doing the same.

Dumbledore cleared his throat before continuing.

"Ahem. You will have to be trained in Occlumency, which I have a shrewd suspicion you already have a flair for..." He gave me a significant look.

Well...I had the grace to look guilty.

"You will also need more training in Defence and Healing charms."

Healing charms? What the?

"If Father injures you in his teaching," said Snape, softly, "he will not bother with healing charms as he will consider it your fault that you had not defended yourself properly."

I stared back at Snape, pushing the steel arm into my mind to push out the abundant fear that was growing there.

"Are you drawing up an extra timetable for Armilla, Severus?" asked Dumbledore, standing up from his desk and moving towards the stairs to the upper level of his office.

"Yes," he replied. He turned back to me. "I will give it to you when you come to brew your potion tomorrow night."

I nodded.

"Do you wish to see your mother, Armilla?" asked Dumbledore.

"Yes," I said, standing up. Snape stood too, looking anxious.

"I have informed your mother of the situation," said Dumbledore, addressing Snape.

"She is not entirely happy, of course, but as long as you assure her of your devotion to the wellbeing of Armilla, things won't be too bad."

Snape nodded, looking grim.

"I'll leave you two alone then," said Dumbledore, gesturing towards the stairs.

Snape led the way up the stairs and I followed, feeling slightly apprehensive about seeing my mother. The last time I had seen her, Snape had stormed off in a huff, having learnt that I was his sister.

The ring was on a table near the window. We both moved to stand in front of it. My mother's face came into view. When she caught sight of us she smiled.

"Hello, my dear children," she said.

"Mother," Snape said, nodding at her.

I had opened my mouth, but nothing had come out.

"Armilla, I am so sorry that you have to know your father," Mother said.

"It's not your fault," I said. "It won't be that bad."

Mother closed her eyes. "I hope not," she said. When she opened them, she looked at Severus. "As long as your brother is here to look after you. You will look after her properly, Severus?"

Snape looked at her sharply. "Of course I will," he said.

Mother let out a sigh. "I wish that could satisfy me completely," she said. "But I feel I will remain in this ring for awhile yet."

"It was a risky thing to do, having that charm performed on you," said Snape, disapprovingly.

It was Mother's turn to give a sharp look. "I do not regret it Severus," she said. "If I hadn't, you would have never found out about your sister."

Snape glanced at me, his black eyes giving nothing away.

"You will both come and visit often, won't you?" asked Mother.

"We will," Snape assured her.

"And I want to hear updates on the goings-on between the two of you and your father."

"Of course," said Snape, his face expressionless as he looked at his mother. I had the suspicion that he was occluding his mind. I didn't think he was going to tell Mother every detail about our visit. She would be stuck in that ring forever.

"Very well," she said, looking a little happier.

By the time we left Dumbledore's office, lunch was well and truly over. I wasn't hungry anyway, and as I made to head for the Ravenclaw common room, Snape called me back.

"Dumbledore arranged for lunch to be left in my office. You will come and eat first. You are not to skip any meals, Armilla. You are about to start a gruelling training program and I assure you, you will need your strength. Come."

Feeling quite disconcerted, I allowed myself to be taken back down to the dungeons for what felt like a final meal. I was leaving a trouble-free, uncomplicated life behind.