Armilla

Chapter 37

"So you have to be in my company at all times," I finished, as Lisa, Terry and I made our way out through the front gates, having just been signed out by Filch.

"Do I get paid for being your babysitter?" asked Lisa, laughing. "I'll have to go make a financial deal for all this with Snape."

"Oh, try," I said airily. "I'm sure a request for payment will be well received. In fact, I'm sure he'd love to discuss it with you during the detention you'll get for daring to ask."

"So Snape doesn't want you and I to be seen alone together in public?" asked Terry.

"That's right."

"But I'm allowed to...accompany to the two of you?"

"Yep."

"So do I get payment for being your bodyguard?"

"You're not big enough to be a bodyguard, Terry," I said evenly, smiling at him.

"Ow, Mill, that really hurt!" he laughed, putting a hand over his heart in mock offence.

"I'm sure she didn't mean to insult your bulging biceps," said Lisa, smiling, putting her hand in Terry's.

"Well, I do work out," said Terry, putting on an impressive voice.

"Do you really?" I asked, smirking.

"Nope. Too lazy."

We talked non-stop all the way into Hogsmeade. I had already decided that it was going to be a happy day. I was going to put all my post-Christmas worries in the back of my mind and really enjoy the morning with my friends. Terry and Lisa were both a lot more comfortable with each other now that their feelings had come to light.

"You know, I'm sorry if I'm stopping you guys having time together today because of Snape's rules," I said, as we made our way towards Honeydukes.

"Are you kidding?" said Lisa, incredulously. "You haven't been to Hogsmeade at all this term."

"And we have plenty of alone time," Terry added. "You do spend a bit of time with Snape these days."

"Well, it's only for lessons," I said. "If those lessons stop next year I guess I'll go back to hardly seeing him at all." There's a thought. If Snape felt that he didn't need to teach me anything new, I would have no reason to go to his office or his rooms in the dungeons. I would only see him in class. I couldn't imagine just walking down to his office in the evening for a friendly chat or a game of chess. He might think I was bonkers. That thought really irked me though.

"I still don't know how you're going to go spending a whole summer with him, Mill," said Terry quietly. "I mean, I only just cope with a double Potions period with the man. You can't tell me he's totally different with you when you two are alone. It's not like you grew up knowing him. Hell, not long ago you were just another Ravenclaw student to him."

"I know," I said simply. "I was. And he's not that different when we're alone together. He still gets angry. He still sneers and I can certainly guarantee that he's still sarcastic, but..."

Terry and Lisa both stopped, looking at me closely. I didn't always tell them a lot about my relationship with Snape, and I knew that they were interested.

"But?" Lisa pressed, when I didn't finish my sentence.

"But...I don't know," I said finally, not knowing where I had actually been leading with that sentence. I kind of knew how I felt, but I could express it.

Lisa and Terry didn't press me anyway. We had reached Honeydukes and there were too many students around with ready ears for us to continue that topic of conversation.

"Ah ha! Mosquito Marshmallows!" Terry exclaimed, picking up a bag.

"That's disgusting," I said, picking up a packet of peanut brittle.

While Terry and Lisa were examining Honeydukes' new and improved range of mini edible broomsticks (which flew around inside your mouth), I snuck away and picked up a packet of the finest dark chocolate. It even came in dark green packaging so Snape certainly couldn't sneer at it. I saw the chocolate stars on another shelf and I couldn't help laughing to myself.

I hid the packet under my peanut brittle packet and a bag of boiled sweets I knew Matilda liked. I thought I could buy the chocolate without my friends noticing a thing. It was just my luck that the shop assistant made a comment about the dark chocolate being his favourite as Lisa and Terry joined me at the counter.

They said nothing until we had left the shop and were walking towards The Three Broomsticks.

"You know, I would have picked Snape as a dark chocolate person," said Lisa, looking at Terry.

Terry raised his eyebrows. "Really? I would have thought he'd be a licorice person myself."

"Oh yes, you're both very cluey and clever," I quipped. "But you can't spread it around."

"As if we would," said Lisa, laughing. "It's so nice of you to buy chocolate for your brother."

"Yes it is nice of me," I said, sarcastically. "I'm a very devoted sister."

"So what would happen if we spread it around?" asked Terry, chewing on a toffee.

"Well Snape told me he would see to it that you never taste again," I said airily, peering into my Honeydukes bag with feigned interest.

'Git,' Terry muttered.

We went into the Three Broomsticks and sat down, having ordered three Butterbeers. We were sure to take a table in a quiet corner, where we couldn't be overheard.

I kept an eye out for Malfoy. Thankfully he wasn't anywhere inside the pub. I had told my friends about avoiding him, and having to be polite if we did have to talk. Terry had begrudgingly complied to be pleasant if the moment came. Personally, I thought Malfoy wouldn't bother me at all. I wasn't even sure if he had even bothered to come. I hadn't seen him on the line of students being signed out by Filch.

"Here you go, dears," said Madam Rosmerta, coming by with our drinks.

"So do you know what you're doing for Christmas yet, Mill?" asked Terry, as he took a swig of Butterbeer.

I shook my head.

"What about a present for Snape?" said Lisa quietly. "What did you decide on?"

"Oh apparently I am giving Snape something he wants," I said dryly. "Unfortunately I can't share the details with you because I don't know what it is."

"Huh?" Lisa furrowed her brow, looking puzzled. "Wait, did you ask him what you could get him?"

I nodded.

Lisa's eyes widened. "Oh my," she said. "I would have been petrified to ask such a thing!"

"I had to get over that," I said dryly. "I just decided to come out with it instead of stressing all day today trying to find him something."

"But what do you mean you don't know what the present is?" Lisa insisted, her eyes still wide.

"I'm just as confused as you are, but Snape knows what he wants and I won't know what it is until Christmas I suppose."

"Well that's interesting," Terry said, leaning forward. "Do you know if he's getting you something?"

"Well that's interesting too," I said thoughtfully. "He asked me last night if there was anything in particular that I wanted for Christmas."

"Oh wow!" Lisa exclaimed. "What did you order?"

"Nothing. I said that there wasn't anything I wanted."

Terry suddenly chuckled to himself and actually slapped his thigh with glee.

"What?" I said, eying him warily.

Terry laughed even more at my expression. Finally he leaned in further to speak quietly.

"I just imagined you asking Snape for new underwear for Christmas! Ha!"

Lisa giggled and I blushed.

"Perish the thought," I whispered. "I would never ask Snape to buy me new underwear."

Lisa giggled more. "Well, he is your guardian," she whispered. "What are you going to do when you do want new underwear?"

"Um..." Hmm, now there was another interesting thought..."Well, I'll just tell him I need to buy girl stuff. Doesn't that normally stop men asking questions?"

"Yep," Terry answered, draining his bottle.

I couldn't imagine actually saying the words "girl stuff" to Snape, but I put that topic in the back of my mind for another day. That was certainly another can of worms.

We ate lunch in the pub and spent another hour after that in Hogsmeade. I didn't make any more purchases, but Lisa and Terry needed more quills and ink (I had an abundant supply in my desk drawer in my bedroom in the dungeons). We also visited Zonko's so Terry could buy some stuff for his young cousins for Christmas. We didn't see Malfoy at all and by the time we were walking along a deserted corridor in Hogwarts back to Ravenclaw Tower, I had firmly convinced myself that the Slytherin hadn't even gone.

It was as if my thoughts drew the piece of scum into my presence, for Malfoy and a group of Slytherins suddenly appeared from around a corner in the distance in front of us. Malfoy was in the centre of the group, strutting along as if he owned the castle. Pansy was next to him, talking animatedly, while Crabbe and Goyle were shuffling along behind them.

"Oh no," moaned Lisa quietly.

"Be polite," I warned. I looked at Terry, whose face was rigid. "For my sake," I said softly.

"Ah, Armilla!" said Malfoy, as soon as we were in earshot of one another. "How lovely to see you."

"Malfoy," I said, nodding at him.

"Draco, please," said Malfoy, smiling politely and completely ignoring the presence of my friends. Next to him, Pansy looked green with jealously, her eyes flitting between Malfoy and I.

"Draco," I said, being careful not to say the name as if the word made me sick.

"I must say that I am thoroughly looking forward to the party your father is holding towards the end of this month," said Malfoy smoothly. "I hear that only the very elite of the wizarding society will be in attendance."

I was so tempted to say "Then how did you score an invitation?", but the memory of the welts from my father's letter was still fresh in my mind, so I merely nodded.

"I'm sure getting to know your father better will encourage you to associate with only the worthy members of our kind," Malfoy went on, his pointed face sneering slightly. "I do believe there are a number of muggle-borns and blood traitors in Ravenclaw, but you would know better than to give them your attention."

I was fighting to remain polite and I thought Terry deserved a medal for not having hexed Malfoy by now. I could practically feel the anger radiating from him. Neither of my friends was muggle-born, but to me, the decent members of the wizarding society would have been offended by Malfoy's attitude.

I nodded again politely, chewing on my tongue.

"Well, I hope you have a lovely Christmas," I said, as my friends made to continue walking, a sign that they were more than ready to go.

Malfoy actually smiled.

"Why, thankyou," he said, sounding as though he really meant it. "I hope you do too. I look forward to speaking with you at the party."

Now I could practically feel the anger radiating from Pansy. She stood with her arms straight and her fists clenched, glowering not at Malfoy, but at me!

"Well, bye then," I said, moving past him, pleased for my sake that I had left him with a good impression.

"Bye," said Malfoy, brightly, turning to watch as I went in the opposite direction.

"Draco!" I heard Pansy hiss, sounding completely infuriated with him. I couldn't hear the rest of what she said to him as we continued further away from them.

"That was handled quite well, I must say," Lisa muttered.

"Mm," I replied, thinking how much I detested both Malfoy and Pansy. Though we were walking further away, I could have sworn Pansy's muffled angry words were getting louder.

"I think-" Terry began, turning to look over his shoulder. What he thought I never found out.

I suddenly felt something razor sharp graze my right side and felt the skin being cut open. Gasping, I clutched my side in pain and felt blood oozing through my top.

"Parkinson!" Terry shouted, getting his wand out and pointing it at her.

Turning slightly, I saw Pansy back down the corridor, her wand raised and wearing a crazed expression on her face. Malfoy was no where to be seen.

"Dear me, what's going on here?" said a girly voice.

I quickly stood up a little straighter, moving my cloak over my side again and pretending with great effort that blood wasn't oozing from my side. I shook my head slightly at my friends in warning not to mention my injury to Umbridge.

Terry had pocketed his wand as soon as he had heard footsteps, but Pansy hadn't been quick enough.

"Miss Parkinson?" said Umbridge, in an even higher voice, rocking back and forth on her tiny feet.

"I...I was trying to defend myself, Professor," said Pansy feebly, pointing madly at Terry, Lisa and I.

"Oh," simpered Umbridge. She turned and gave us a nasty look. "Were you indeed trying to attack Miss Parkinson here?"

"No, Professor," we said in unison.

"But I'm glad you just came by, Professor," said Lisa suddenly, in the politest tone. "By the looks of it, I think Pansy was about to attack us from behind - and we know you can't use magic at all in the corridors, let alone hexes."

Umbridge narrowed her eyes at Lisa, as if trying to work out if Lisa was really concerned or if she was mocking her authority. Thankfully, she settled on the former.

"Well at least you know the rules, Miss Turpin," she said. She turned to Pansy.

"I must say I am very disappointed in you Miss Parkinson. You know what a...credit you are to me as a prefect here."

Pansy now glowered at Umbridge. "He had his wand out!" she shrieked, pointing at Terry.

"Miss Parkinson, you do not speak to a teacher that way," said a sharp voice. To my horror, Snape had suddenly appeared behind my friends and I. He didn't look at me at all. Instead, he moved to stand next to Umbridge.

"Apologise at once!" he snapped at Pansy.

Pansy didn't dare glower at Snape. She seemed to have been intimidated into giving him the utmost respect. Also as her Head of House, Snape had the right to suspend her for hexing in the hallway...though no one yet had admitted to hexing...

"Sorry, Professor," Pansy said meekly, looking at Umbridge.

"Well, Severus," said Umbridge brightly. "I got here just in time to stop Miss Parkinson from hexing these students." She gestured at Terry, Lisa and I.

"That is fortunate," Snape said. He glanced at us briefly, his look quite indifferent. I was chewing my tongue again, concentrating on that rather than the pain from my side. I wanted to leave so I could heal my side, but Umbridge clearly hadn't finished.

"You," she said, looking at Boot. "Is Miss Parkinson correct? Did you have your wand out?"

"Yes, Professor," said Terry. "Only to stop Parkinson from-" he paused, looking swiftly at me. I didn't dare make my message obvious in front of Umbridge and Snape. I met his gaze evenly, just hoping Terry would take the hint.

"From what, Boot?" said Snape harshly, staring at Terry.

"...Trying to hex us, sir," Terry finished, looking back at him.

Snape narrowed his eyes, but said nothing more.

"Well, as you both know magic is not permitted in the corridors, I think that will be twenty points each from Ravenclaw and Slytherin," said Umbridge. "And to be sure that it does not happen again, you will both receive detention."

Pansy hung her head, but Terry looked outraged. He opened his mouth to protest but Lisa got in first.

"That's not fair! Terry didn't hex anyone!" she said indignantly.

"Nor apparently, did Miss Parkinson," said Snape smoothly, raising an eyebrow at her. "It is not up to you to decide what is fair, Miss Turpin. Unless you wish to join them in detention, I suggest you say no more." He didn't look at me at all.

"Very well," Umbridge simpered. "I suggest you all go back to your common rooms now." She turned and disappeared around the corner.

Terry, Lisa, Pansy and I made to move away. I wanted to get to my dorm as fast as possible to heal myself. The blood started to run down my right leg. Thankfully, it was still hidden by my cloak.

"Stop right there," Snape commanded in an angry tone. We all halted at once. Snape still didn't look at me, but turned to face Pansy instead.

"Miss Parkinson, that is the second time this week you have been caught hexing people in the halls," he said in a low voice. "You know the rules and I'm sure you do not wish to suffer my displeasure any more than you already have this week."

"No, sir," said Pansy meekly. "I didn't hex anyone."

"Did you not?" asked Snape, sounding incredulous.

"No, sir," Pansy repeated, turning red.

"You're perfectly sure about that?" His tone was very dangerous now. I saw Lisa wince out of the corner of my eye.

"Yes, sir," said Pansy, her voice becoming higher.

"Then can you explain this?" Snape strode forward, and still without looking at me, he grabbed my right arm, moved it out of the way and then briskly lifted my cloak to reveal the huge blood stain coming from my side. The sight of it made me feel sick.

"Oh..." Lisa murmured, staring at the stain. Terry was looking at Snape with a strange expression on his face. Snape ignored all three of us.

"Well?" he demanded, glaring at Pansy.

"She must have hexed herself," said Pansy feebly.

Snape's expression hardened even more.

"Are you suggesting, Miss Parkinson, that my sister would hex herself for the sake of it?"

Pansy was practically shaking now. She shook her head and I knew that was the best confession she was going to offer.

"For failing to own up and for blatantly lying to your Head of House, you will serve detention with Filch for the next week, Miss Parkinson," Snape said angrily. "Understood?"

Pansy looked frightened. "Yes...Yes, sir," she said trembling.

"You are dismissed," Snape snapped. "Return to your common room at once."

Pansy did not need to be told twice. She turned and fled from the corridor.

Now, I thought, seeing as we were the only students left, and for the fact that Snape was still clutching my cloak and right arm, he would have to pay us some notice.

"Come," he ordered, glancing briefly at the three of us. He let go of me and we followed him into a nearby empty classroom. Once inside, Snape closed the door and cast a silencing charm. He turned to face us, still glaring.

"Sit," he commanded, looking at Terry and Lisa as he gestured at the desks. I moved to sit down too.

"Not you," Snape snapped, reaching out and grabbing my right arm to stop me. I gasped in pain as the slash in my side reminded me of its presence. He gestured for me to sit on top of a desk next to him.

"Show me," he instructed.

"I can fix it myself," I said, terribly embarrassed.

He glared at me. "I believe I just gave you an order."

Resigned, and feeling incredibly self-conscious, I lifted the side of my top slightly to reveal the long deep cut on my waist.

Snape examined it closely for a moment and then straightened up.

"Well, let's see our hard work pay off," he said smoothly. "If you say you can fix it yourself, be my guest." He stood back and looked at me expectantly.

Wincing with the pain, I took out my wand. It was a bit difficult to wave the wand correctly with my left hand while pointing it at the right side of my waist. I was at least thankful that the cut was on my right side because I was left-handed. It would have been harder to heal a cut on my left side. I gave it a go all the same and succeeded in stopping the blood flow, though not healing the mark left by the cut because of my wonky arm movement. I raised my wand again to have a go at getting rid of the mark.

"That will do, you have made your point," said Snape curtly, moving forward again holding his own wand.

I hesitated, wanting to fix it myself.

"Put your wand away, Armilla," he snapped.

I put it away, not looking at my friends, who had wisely remained silent thus far.

"I do hope there is a good explanation as to why Miss Parkinson felt the need to hex you," said Snape, after making the mark vanish. He conjured up a cloth and wiped away the majority of the blood. "You can wash the rest of it away and change when we go down to the dungeons," he said quietly to me.

"I didn't provoke her at all," I said softly, looking up at Snape. "I was polite to Malfoy and Pansy didn't like it."

"Parkinson attacked her from behind," Terry piped up.

Snape looked over at Terry. "And you drew your own wand, Boot, I believe?"

Terry looked troubled. "Yes, sir."

"I brought you two in here to make it very clear to you both the... requirements that now come with being Armilla's friends." Snape gave them a dour look.

I looked up at Snape, alarmed. I didn't want him making my friends too scared to be friends with me. Snape didn't look at me at all. He addressed himself to my friends.

"It is extremely important for Armilla's own safety that neither of you do anything that could put her position in danger. I do not know what details Armilla has told you of her father, but any interactions she has with Malfoy and her actions in general are reported to him by Malfoy. Armilla has already suffered her father's displeasure recently and I assure you, both of us do not wish to have the experience repeat itself."

Terry and Lisa's eyes were flitting between Snape and me, both of them looking at a loss for words. I was so uncomfortable and the stress of the situation was giving me a headache.

"Therefore, as Malfoy and a few others constantly watch Armilla, they are watching her friends too. Any bad reports will result in grievances worse than this." Snape gestured towards my side. "Even if you are attacked in the corridor, Boot, our father will most likely blame you, and consequently Armilla, rather than a Slytherin."

Terry nodded slightly. Lisa looked shocked.

"So I warn both of you," Snape went on, his eyes narrowed. "If either of you step out of line, you will have to deal with me, and Armilla will have to deal with our father." He looked sternly at both of them. "Do we have an understanding?"

"Yes, sir," said Terry quietly, looking at Snape with the same strange look that he had been giving him before.

"And you, Miss Turpin?"

Lisa nodded. "Yes, sir."

"Of course," said Snape. "You are not to repeat this conversation to anyone. Is that clear?"

"Yes, sir," they said in unison.

Snape nodded, seeming satisfied. "Very well. You may go."

They stood up to leave, looking at me expectantly. I still had half an hour before my lesson with Snape began.

"Armilla will not be coming with you," Snape said. "Go on," he said more harshly when neither of them moved. "She will see you at dinner."

Muttering their goodbyes, the two left, looking like lost sheep.

Snape turned back to me.

"I do not apologise for doing that," he said, "it was necessary."

I didn't answer. I got off the desk, not sure whether I was angry with him or not.

I moved towards the door.

"Wait," said Snape.

I turned around to face him.

He narrowed his eyes at me and folded his arms.

"You have yet to tell me whether or not you are alright," he said.

"I'm fi-'" I paused, remembering a conversation we had had a couple of weeks before. "Actually," I said, "I've got a headache...and that doesn't qualify under fine."

Snape smirked.

"Indeed. Well, that can be fixed. Come."

And I went with Snape down to the dungeons, allowing myself to feel a bit more dependent on him, like he wanted - and like I needed to.