Bonds Of Fate

CHAPTER THREE - NEARLY DEATHLESS NICK

Everyone looked at Ivy. She looked back at them calmly. “What do you mean ‘it’s almost as if his death was eaten away’?” Hermione asked.

“Well, it just makes sense, doesn’t it? I mean, since Nick has been a ghost for so long, to bring him back to his body is to take away his death. And to take that away is to kill him all over again.”

* * * * *

Schedules were passed out and, to the trio’s delight, they were all taking Wizard Journalism first thing in the afternoon. Ivy was taking her first Potions class with Snape

“You have to be careful with him, Ivy.” Ron told her. “He has it in for any student that isn’t in Slytherin. Just don’t let him boss you around to much.”

“How am I supposed to do that if I’m trying not to be noticed?”

“Oh.” Ron said. “Good point. Hey, how ‘bout we take you down to Hagrid’s after classes are over? I’m sure he’d love to meet you.”

* * * * *

Hermione, Ron and Harry all sat together in the back of the classroom. They didn’t want Rita to see them right away, they wanted to have the element of surprise. Hermione had a large jar in front of her and she was smiling brightly.

Rita came in, fifteen minutes late looking cocky and very sure of herself. She stood in front of the class and adjusted her horn-rimed glasses. They were coloured a neon pink, to match her robes.

“Journalism,” she began, “is all about being the best! If being the best means you have to hoard a few facts, stretch a few truths to get the story told, so be it! Do what you have to do to get the story written! Understand?”

The class responded with silence. Not many were sure exactly how to reply to that obviously pompous statement. Hermione raised her hand, however.

“Yes, miss Graaaaaa!” Rita said. She had just noticed who had her hand up. Colour had drained from her cheeks.

“Hi Professor Skeeter, how are you

“F-fine, Miss Granger. D-did you have a question?” Her eyes darted nervously to the large glass jar on Hermione’s desk.

“Yes. Are you asking us to lie, or say, cheat, do what ever we have to do to achieve a story?”

“No, no, where did you hear that? How silly of me! I meant, um, tell the facts straight! Tell the truth, but, um, be the best?”

* * * * *

In Potions class, the feel of the room was much less happy. Ivy could feel the cold stone around her, as if it were a second skin. Snape has thus far paid her no heed and for that she was grateful. She didn’t like him. He reminded her of Death.

Not that Death is a bad thing, she pondered. Death can bring on a Season of Change. She knew that well. Death was rooted in her bones even as life tried to help her grow. What a cruel irony, she thought.

“Now, if you’ll add the peacock quills to the armadillo bile, you should get a thick purple substance that bubbles slightly.” Snape said. “Let’s take at someone’s failure, shall we?” The Slytherins giggled. “How about hmmmm Miss Lewis? Can you show us your-“ Snape had stopped talking. The moment he had looked into Ivy’s eyes, the entire world had ceased to exist.

Ivy’s ring began to glow with soft white light. For Ivy and Snape, the world around them was replaced with the trees of the Forbidden forest. They could see two people, hear snippets of conversation.

“ .But Snape, I can’t love you back. You know that.”

“It doesn’t matter, you can learn to love me!”

“Severus, I can’t, I’m sorry. I love James.” With this, the woman ran off back towards Hogwarts.

“Lily ” the younger Snape whispered.

The world clicked back into focus.

“You loved me.” Ivy whispered.

“I you?” Snape replied. He was visibly shaken.

* * * * *

“I’m here,” Rita continued, “to teach you the difficult art of Wizard Journalism. What facts to report, what to leave out, the “why’s” and the “how’s” of the business. Not everyone can be a journalist, but I am here to see if some of you have what it takes. Now, if you’ll all take out a sheet of parchment-“

There was a knock at the door. Rita grumbled something under her breath and went to answer it. When she opened the door, she shrieked. Nearly Headless Nick, no longer a ghost, was standing in the doorway

His face seemed to be falling off of it’s bones, as if it were made of Silly Putty. Eyes full of pain looked out from behind a large mop of brown hair. It seemed that he was floating, on the verge of falling.

“Her-mine-ee ” He whispered with lips barely able to form the words.

Hermione rose from her desk and went to Nick. Slowly. Calmly. “Yes, Nicholas?”

* * * * *

“Where have I met you before?” Snape asked Ivy.

“I haven’t met you before, Professor.”

“I know you.”

“Perhaps, but we have not met before, Professor.”

“But I am sure-“ he began. Ivy had raised her eyes towards his.

“Calm yourself, Severus.” She whispered. The whisper voice sounded much older, wiser. “It would not do to upset others, don’t you agree?”

“Yesss calm.” Snape replied.

“Is my secret safe with you, Severus?” Ivy whispered.

“Sssecret sssafe yessss ”

“Good.” Ivy smiled, and the spell was broken. Snape looked around wildly for a moment, as if he were unsure of his movements. He then saw Ivy smiling at him. Snape then did something that most thought impossible. Snape smiled.

A bell sounded and Ivy headed for the door. Snape watched her go, watched the room empty itself of students. He sat at his desk for quite some time. Finally, he uttered one word:

* * * * *

Someone in the classroom screamed.

Hermione, Ron and Harry had bent down to look at Nick and to protect him from the mob of students that were trying to leave the classroom. Rita Skeeter was in hysterics.

“CALM YOURSELVES CHILDREN! IT’S GOING TO BE ALRIGHT! EVERYONE STAY CALM!” She screamed, not sounding at all calm herself.

It was then that Hermione saw a piece of parchment in Nick’s hand. She tried pulling it free, but the body’s rigor mortis was quickly setting in. She motioned to Harry to help her unclasp the hand. With a little effort they did so.

Hermione slipped the paper into her pocket just in time. When she stood she was face to face with Professor Dumbledore.

* * *