Her Father's Daughter

Her Father's Daughter

Chapter Four

The library was near empty when Ginny entered through the heavy doors shortly before dinner that evening. Her awareness of Snape's situation heightened her drive to help him. She waved at Madame Pince, perched sternly at her desk. The older woman nodded curtly at her, and Ginny continued towards the Restricted Section.

She perused the list of tomes Snape requested. The first three were easy to find, but as she got further down the list, she really had to search for the books. She was searching for a book called Controversial Medicinal Potions and Their Uses when another book caught her eye.

Potions: Life and Death was a thin book, which surprised Ginny. She glanced over her shoulder, and, not seeing anyone around, she pulled it from the shelf. Thumbing through it, several potions caught her eye, but before she could look more closely at the book, a throat cleared behind her.

"Find anything interesting, Weasley?" Draco Malfoy sneered behind her.

"I'm, er, just pulling some research books for Professor Snape," she stammered, cramming the smaller book into her bag.

"Easy, Weasley," Mafloy replied. "I was just asking."

He leaned against the shelves and regarded her closely. "I've found something that might interest you," he said, pulling a book from behind his back.

He handed it to her and awaited her reaction.

She looked at the title of the large book and almost laughed aloud.

"Great Gryffindors," she mused. "Whatever are you doing with this book?"

Malfoy smirked. "I was looking for a biography on dark wizards and found this book curiously in the Restricted Section. I wondered why it would be here, what with so many brave and courageous Gryffindors like yourself gracing the halls of Hogwarts," he said sarcastically. "But then I looked at the Table of Contents."

Confused, Ginny opened to the chapter listing and gasped at the chapter title towards the bottom of the page.

While the book contained biographies on notable Gryffindors, such as Godric himself and Professor Dumbledore, chapter thirteen was entitled, "Sirius Black: Seriously Mis-sorted."

Ginny glared at Malfoy. "Why do you suppose this would interest me?" she questioned.

Malfoy shrugged carelessly and turned from her. "Just thought you might find it...enthralling." A few steps from her, he turned back. "Just so you know, there is an addendum to the chapter that completely exonerates him, but the chapter itself has yet to be rewritten."

Without another word, he strode away from her. Ginny fumed for several moments before realizing she only had a short time before dinner. She stuffed Great Gryffindors into her bag and hurried out of the library. Snape's other books would just have to wait.

=

Ginny breezed through Lupin's classroom door, completely out of breath.

"Sorry I'm late, Professor," she gasped.

Lupin chuckled slightly. "It's quite alright, Ginny," he said. "I saw you arrive late at dinner. Homework keeping you busy?"

She rolled her eyes. "Not likely," she replied. "I've barely begun this week's work." She sank into her seat, pulling several books from her bag. "No, I was pulling some books for Professor Snape."

Lupin's expression turned grave. "Ah, yes," he said with a sigh.

Silence reigned between them for several moments before Ginny spoke cautiously.

"Professor Lupin," she said. "I know Professor Snape isn't well, but...." Her voice trailed off and she looked away, embarrassed.

"Yes, Ginny?" Lupin asked, motioning for her to continue.

"How serious is his condition?" she asked in a rush. She bit her lip and waited for him to answer.

Lupin sighed and tented his fingers, resting his chin atop them. "I'm afraid I can't tell you much, Ginny," he said sadly. "We're all sworn to secrecy, and I'm not even sure I know the whole situation." He paused and sighed. "But seeing as how you're his research assistant, you should probably be privy to some of the facts.

"As far as I know, it's very serious," Lupin continued, and Ginny put her hand to her mouth. "When we found him after the battle, we though it was just his legs that had lost feeling. The Death Eaters were particularly cruel to him, inflicting the Cruciatus on just his spine, over and over." He swore under his breath.

"But a month or so ago, Severus noticed the tremor in his arm. Spells indicated the paralysis was spreading, and until a new potion or counter-spell is found, it will continue to spread," he concluded. "I don't need to press upon you the delicateness of this information, Ginny." His voice was stern, yet not unfriendly.

"Of course," Ginny replied. "I'm glad you told me, so that I didn't ask any impertinent questions."

Uncomfortable silence again filled the room, and Ginny began looking through the Potions books.

Sometime later, she spoke again.

"Professor Lupin," she began, "why did Sirius hate Professor Snape?"

"That, I'm afraid, is a quite a long story," Lupin said. "It goes back a long way."

Ginny looked at him expectedly, and he leaned back in his chair to begin the tale.

"Out of respect for them, I'll give you the short version, alright?" Lupin began. "The whole of Sirius' family had been sorted into Slytherin over the years, and he wasn't. His cousins hated him for it, and so did his brother when he came to Hogwarts. And then you have Severus. He was immediately sorted into Slytherin and quickly made a reputation for himself as a rather dark young man.

"You also have to understand, both were incredibly bright," he continued. "Snape was brilliant at every subject., but he wasn't the athletic sort. Much like me, he wasn't interested in Quidditch, and girls certainly never seemed to catch his fancy. He and Sirius traded the top scores early on, and that added to their mutual dislike. Plus, Snape was meddlesome. He seemed to be determined to create trouble for Sirius.

"Sirius often suspected it was Snape telling professors when he'd snuck out and such. While it seemed to Sirius that Snape was nosy, it was obvious to everyone else that Severus was watching him for a bigger reason."

"And was it Snape getting him into trouble?" Ginny asked, hoping against hope that she was wrong.

Lupin smiled his trademark wry smile. "No, it wasn't," he said. "He was pressured by some older classmates to keep an eye on Sirius, but he wasn't the snitch."

Ginny absently ran her fingers through her hair in thought as she smiled to herself.

"I didn't know Sirius was that bright," she said.

Lupin laughed loudly as Ginny clapped her hand over her mouth as. "I didn't mean it like that," she amended.

Lupin wiped his eyes and controlled his laughter. "No, it's alright," he said. "Sirius certainly didn't come off that way, but he was an extremely talented and powerful wizard." He looked at the young woman's smile and added quietly, "He was quite impressed with your Bat-Bogey when he saw it that summer, I might add."

Ginny jerked her head towards him. At first, Lupin thought she would be angry, but her face broke into a broad grin.

"He was impressed?" she asked.

"Said he couldn't have done one better himself," Lupin said nodding. "We were all proud whenever you stood up to your family, even if you weren't successful, but Sirius was always especially proud. He admired your spirit."

Ginny grinned at Lupin, and his heart beamed with pride.

To test her, he took one step further. "You have the same spirit that Sirius had himself when he was younger," he said.

"Are we really alike?" Ginny asked, her smile fading slightly.

"There isn't much of a physically resemblance, but yes, your personality traits and mannerisms are very much alike," Lupin answered. "Sirius also played with his hair when he was thinking, even when he didn't realize he was doing it."

Ginny caught herself and pulled her hands from her hair. She blushed and looked down at her Potions books. She took a deep breath and asked the question she had yet to ask anyone.

"And my mother?" she questioned, raising her eyes to meet her professor's hazel ones. "Surely you knew her. What was she like? Do I look like her?"

Lupin shifted uncomfortably in his chair and looked away from her, to the window. "Yes, you look quite like her, except for the nose," he answered. "I'm afraid you inherited Sirius' nose."

Ginny giggled and waited for him to continue. When he didn't, she cleared her throat. "But what was she like?" she pressed.

"That was a long time ago, Ginny," he replied. "I'm not sure I remember much; I just recall her being slightly more introverted than Sirius, but just as bright." He finally turned back to her. "I'm afraid I can't tell you more than that."

"Please, professor," Ginny insisted. "You must know more."

"I'm afraid I can't tell you anymore," he answered and glanced at his watch. "Your detention is over; you may go."

Slightly frustrated, Ginny shot a puzzling glance to her teacher before gathering her books. As she turned to leave, she looked back to him.

"Thanks for telling me about Sirius," she said. "And Professor Snape. I really want to help him."

Lupin smiled. "I'm sure you will, Ginny. Good night."

=

Ginny did not return to her dormitory. She headed straight for the Defense Against the Dark Arts classroom.

She was surprised to see Malfoy sitting behind his desk, looking rather casual. His robes were hung carefully on the coat rack in the corner; his tie was off, and the top two buttons of his shirt was undone. He was grading homework, and when he looked up and saw her in his doorway, he didn't appear to be surprised.

"Come in and sit down, please," he said, smirking at her. "I've been expecting you."

His tone reminded her of Dumbledore in an uncanny manner, and she grimaced inwardly at the comparison. She took a seat across from him and plunked Great Gryffindors from her bag and tossed it onto his desk.

"Why did you give me this?" she demanded.

Malfoy set his quill down and leaned over his desk slightly to look directly into her eyes. "Have you read it?" he asked.

"Not yet," she admitted. "But that doesn't answer my question."

Malfoy smiled. "You're good," he said. "But I want to ask you one question."

He paused to lean back in his chair and laced his hands behind his head. "Do you know that I know?"

"Yes," she said simply. "I know that you know who my real parents are. I assume Lupin or Snape told you."

He smiled and said, "I thought you might be interested to know more about Black. There are some interesting stories in there."

"Does it mention my mother?" she asked quietly.

Malfoy dropped his confidence for a brief moment as a look of pure confusion crossed his flawless features. His blue eyes narrowed as he saw the look of desperation in her eyes.

"No," he said finally and simply. "It doesn't."

"Do you know anything about her?" Ginny asked, twisting her hair.

"Why ask me?" Malfoy asked. He stood and paced around the desk and leaned against it. "Can't Lupin tell you?"

Ginny shook her head sadly. "He wouldn't tell me much. Surely your father knew her," she said resentfully. "They were both Death Eaters."

Malfoy's lips grew thin, and Ginny knew she'd worn out her welcome. She stood to leave, but Malfoy grabbed her arm.

"Don't ever bring up my father again," he spat. "Do you hear me? Ever."

She nodded once, but he gripped her arm tighter, to the point that Ginny winced in pain.

"You'd be better off leaving your mother out of it as well," he said. "You will be supremely disappointed at what you discover, believe me."

"Why?" Ginny asked angrily. "What aren't you telling me?"

Malfoy's entire countenance changed in an instant, and he immediately released her. "My apologies," he said with a slight bow.

"You should go," he mumbled before returning to sit behind his desk.

Ginny glared at him, snatched up her bag and stomped out of the classroom.

When she got to her room, she slammed the door and threw herself onto the bed.

She was too excited to go to sleep, so she pulled some books from her bag. When she did so, Potions: Life and Death tumbled onto the floor. Curiously, Ginny picked it up, pushing the other books aside.

She scanned the index, but she quickly cast the paperback aside. She opened one of Professor Snape's books and began to search for medicinal and restorative potions. His health, she surmised, was more important than her own curiosity.

=

Ginny barely made it through her classes. She'd stayed up rather late going through the Potions books and making notes. She wanted to make a good impression on her Master, but she also hoped to discover something that could help him.

After dinner, she returned to her dormitory to gather her books and notes. Her things were in disarray, and she randomly grabbed the books lying about and shoved them into her bag.

Hurrying down to the Potions classroom, she paused outside the door to smooth her uniform and pull her long hair back into a black elastic band. She knew Snape abhorred girls' long hair in the Potions lab, as he insisted it was a hazard.

She knocked twice on the door and waited for him to allow her entrance. He opened the door himself, looking rather weary. Ginny's heart panged briefly, but she managed to keep her expression stoic. Snape didn't need her pity; he needed her help.

"Thank you for being on time," Snape said, wheeling back so she could enter the room. "Follow me. We'll be working in my private laboratory."

She scurried after him, trying to keep up. Though he'd lost the use of his legs, Snape hadn't slowed down any at all.

"Sir, why aren't we working in the classroom?" she asked. "Surely there's more room."

Without turning or stopping, Snape replied, "I don't want to be interrupted. This is a very delicate undertaking, and it's best if it's kept quiet."

He led her into a room just off the left side of the classroom. This laboratory, though not as spacious, was obviously better stocked and better cared for than the classroom, and Ginny was mesmerized by its meticulousness.

Sensing this, Snape turned and smirked at her. "Impressed, Miss Weasley?" he asked.

She nodded dumbly, turning around to take in every nook and cranny of the room. "It's wonderful," she murmured.

"Take a seat," he commanded, and Ginny obeyed without hesitation. "How is your cheek?" he asked, looking at her face closely. "Does it hurt?"

"Not a bit, sir," Ginny said, trying to sound bright. "I recast the Glamour this morning, but it should be fine by tomorrow. I hadn't really thought of it."

"Miss Weasley, I must again - " Snape began.

"Professor, please don't apologize again," Ginny interrupted. "It's really okay." She smiled warmly at him, and he cleared his throat and changed the subject.

"You brought the books?" He gestured to her bag.

"Yes, sir," she answered, sitting at one of the tables. She noticed it had been shrunken so that it was at the perfect level for Professor Snape.

"I've made notes as well," she continued. She pulled her notes and the books out of her bag and spread them across the table.

Snape began reading her notes; occasionally, he would make notes of his own or scratch through something she'd written. Whatever he was doing, he was quite fastidious about it.

Ginny took this time to carefully study her Potions Master. It was odd, really. Though both and Professor Lupin were not yet forty, Lupin had always looked a great deal older than Snape, and Ginny knew this was because of his lycanthropy. There wasn't a grey hair on Snape's head. His hair still retained the shiny, black appearance it'd had since her first year of school. But there were noticeably more lines on his face, particularly around his mouth. Probably from frowning so much, she thought.

He was rather pale, even more so than usual. He was very striking. Perhaps that's why he'd always dressed in black; it added to his dramatic air, and maybe that's why he'd seemed so scary.

Ginny lowered her head to look at his dark eyes. They were quite beady, but she noticed that instead of the hate and arrogance that had once resided in them, she only saw tiredness and consternation.

Suddenly, those black eyes focused on her, and for a moment black and brown stared at each other.

"Miss Weasley, are you with me?" he frowned.

"Sorry, Professor," she said, blushing. "I was just thinking."

"Too much thinking can get you into trouble, you know," he said seriously. "Just think of Miss Granger. She thought entirely too much, and it almost always got her into trouble, especially if Potter and Weasley were involved."

Ginny giggled but stopped quickly when she saw his scowl.

"Why did you hate her?" she asked suddenly. "Hermione, I mean. Why did you dislike her so?"

"I didn't," Snape said simply. "I don't hate students, Miss Weasley. I just prefer some more than others."

"But why were you so cross with her all the time?" Ginny persisted.

"Life has many lessons to teach us," Snape replied with a sigh. "Miss Granger always insisted on forcing her brilliance on everyone else, and instead of doing it humbly, she had to show off. She needed to be kept in her place."

"I don't know if you succeeded, but luckily she's found someone else to keep her there," Ginny said with a sneaky smile.

"And who would that be?" Snape asked curiously.

"Percy," Ginny replied, not bothering to hide her laughter at Snape's wide eyes. "They've been dating since Hermione began working at the Ministry last summer."

"Interesting," Snape said. "I can't say that doesn't surprise me." Ginny snickered, and Snape fought to keep a smile from his face.

"And you and Potter?" he asked suddenly, pretending to be disinterested.

"Me and Harry?" Ginny squeaked. "Not likely, sir. We're practically related."

At her own admission, Ginny's face darkened, and she turned from Snape's persistent gaze.

"We should get started on the research." She hastily pulled a stack of books towards her and opened the top one.

Snape gazed at her for a moment longer, wondering if he should try to persuade her to continue, but he ultimately decided that if she were going to talk to him, he needed to earn her trust.

His own face clouded briefly as he remembered where he'd learned that tactic so many years ago. Pushing the thoughts of Death Eaters and Dark Lords from his mind, he returned to her notes.

"You've made excellent progress, Miss Weasley," he said. "I'm rather impressed with your notes, especially the remark about using Mandrake roots. I admit I hadn't thought of using a restorative, but I suppose if it was mixed with dragon's blood first, it could have the desired effect."

"Thank you, sir," she said. "I figured if the roots were used to restore life to those who'd been petrified, they could restore life to nerves, which have been petrified in a way."

Snape smiled at his apprentice. "I see you still remember your second-year Herbology." Ginny smiled shyly at him before continuing her reading. Snape silently patted himself on the back for choosing her to assist him with his work. She was definitely clever.

Three hours later, Ginny yawned suddenly and stretched her arms over her head.

"I suppose we've done enough for the evening," Snape said. "You may go."

Ginny fixed her eyes at her teacher, and she saw that his dark eyes looked tired. "When do you think we can begin brewing it?" she asked.

Snape quickly read over their most recent set of notes and did some thinking. "End of next week," he answered finally. "We'll need to experiment first with some of these ingredients."

Ginny nodded and began gathering the books together. She moved to put them on a corner of the desk, but Snape's hand on her wrist stopped her.

"You may take some with you if you wish," he said.

"Thank you," she replied, taking three from the stack and putting them into her bag. "I'm not sure about adding lacewings, so I want to research those a little more, if that's all right."

He nodded his assent before his face furrowed into a curious expression.

"This wasn't on my list," he said slowly, picking up Potions: Life and Death. He thumbed through it, and Ginny saw his eyes widen. "What are you doing with this?" he asked, his voice harsher than she'd heard it all evening.

"I don't know, sir," she replied nervously. "I must have picked it up by mistake when I was in the library."

"A mistake?" he hissed. "There is no room for mistakes in potion-brewing, Miss Weasley! Do you have any idea of what is in this book?

"It's dangerous," he continued without waiting for her answer. "There are reasons why books are in the Restricted Section. Didn't you see the title?"

"Sir, I'm sorry, I just..." she stammered.

"You're sorry?" Snape's face was flushed with anger, and Ginny quickly understood why so many students were afraid of him. "How could you be so asinine? Do you know what would happen if you were caught with this book? You'd be expelled. This book shouldn't even be in the Hogwarts Library; I've tried to have it removed more than once, but the governors don't see the harm, the dunderheads."

Ginny was shaking with fear and close to tears, but Snape didn't seem like relenting any time soon.

"Miss Weasley," he said, his voice dangerously low, "if you can't be more careful, I will dismiss you from this study, do you understand?"

"Yes, Professor," she replied, the tears in her eyes threatening to spill over. "I'm so sorry; it won't happen again."

"See that it doesn't," he replied. Looking at her reddened eyes, he pulled a handkerchief from his pocket and tossed it carelessly at her. "Dry your eyes before you leave; you look a sight."

Leaving her at the table, he pushed himself out the door, taking the book with him. Ginny dried her eyes on the handkerchief, barely noticing the initials S.A.S. on the corner. When she was sure she looked normal, she carefully folded it and left in on the table. She quietly closed the door to the lab behind her before leaving the dungeons for her dormitory.