Once A Student - Always A Student?

Snape returned to the hospital wing at first light.

"When does Dumbledore return?" he asked Madam Pomfrey.

"I'm sorry Severus, I have no idea."

"He should have been here by now. I asked him to be here myself."

"Try not to worry too much."

Snape looked at Coventina. Her face was ashen, drained from all colour, and her heartbeat faint.

"How is she?"

"She's fine, much better than yesterday." Madam Pomfrey smiled at the look of relief on Snape's face.

He sat next to her bed. Foolish girl, he thought.

A few hours later Coventina began to stir. She could just see Snape through blurred vision. "I knew death would be bad, but this is worse than I thought."

He allowed himself to smile, all be it briefly.

"How are you feeling?"

"Like somebody made me drink poison."

"I had no choice. You were going to poison a student."

She turned away. "I suppose there are half a dozen Dementors waiting outside the hospital wing?"

"You are not going to Azkaban."

Coventina looked at Snape. "But Lupin, the Ministry, they all know, I..."

"Lupin is not who you think. He's been working for the legitimate side of the Ministry."

"He's not evil?"

"I didn't say that," said Snape quickly, "all you need to know is he won't turn you in. I vowed, Miss Arawn, that every detention I gave you would be one step further away from Azkaban. "

"And there was me thinking it was because you hated me."

"Do you think I enjoyed the fact that one of the brightest students to ever pass through Hogwarts was also one of the most obstinate and headstrong? You didn't need those answers to pass the exams, you would have passed anyway, and the tainted side of the Ministry knew that. They just bought your confidence. You do know that you will have to leave Hogwarts, don't you?"

"Well, I kind of saw that coming; it's not as if I was destined for great things."

Snape stared at her, "You could have easily made it on your own merits. I understand there were other circumstances that could have clouded your judgement. Your family are fine; they are all in good health."

"Thank you," she said quietly.

Snape stood up, "Use this second chance well." He looked at her for a moment and then swept out of the wing.

***

Bags packed Coventina walked slowly down the dimly lit corridors. She had always hated the place, but now she knew she would miss it. It had taught her how to make magic nail varnish, and for that she would be eternally grateful.

"Professor Dumbledore, I..."

"Leaving us so soon?" smiled Dumbledore, kindly.

"Things weren't really working out," she smiled back; "I wasn't cut out to be a witch."

"I'm sorry to hear that, we will be very sorry to see you go, Miss Arawn. It has been a pleasure."

"Thank you for the opportunity. I would be grateful if you could give this to Hermione," Coventina handed Dumbledore a note, "And this is for Professor Snape," she passed Dumbledore a watch, "he always did need one of these."

Dumbledore smiled. "I won't keep you any longer, it's getting dark. Oh and Miss Arawn, I wouldn't worry about getting home, I think you'll find that Lupin is waiting for you outside," he winked and continued walking along the corridor.

So he knew, she thought. I always did like Dumbledore.

***

"Headmaster Dumbledore, where have you been?"

"The West Indies," said Dumbledore casually as if it was the most natural thing in the world.

"The West Indies, in term time? I thought you had urgent business?"

"It was urgent. They have the most remarkable food and sun over there."

Snape tried to keep his temper under control, "I am sorry, Headmaster, I do not understand. There was a serious situation here, we needed your help."

"My dear Snape, one of the most important lessons you must grasp is once a student, always a student. We never close our doors to learning." Dumbledore patted him on the back and started to walk off. "Oh, before I forget, this is for you." He handed a bewildered Snape the watch and continued walking.

***

Coventina made her way out of the extensive grounds without looking back. She could see Lupin waiting in the distance and not feeling that she could look him in the eyes, kept her head down. Although she could feel his stare from afar.

The grass was wet from an earlier thunderstorm and it crunched under her shoes making her slip slightly. Suddenly she paused, thoughts rushing through her mind. Lifting her hand to her neck she felt the gushing blood. It hurt but in a strange way she couldn't feel it. Coventina kept her eyes open as she fell to the ground. It was so much easier to look at someone as you were dying.

Two figures stepped in front of her. "Well that's one minor obstacle out of the way. Let the real games begin." The two figures smiled.