Friend

With Solitaire safely returned to her former annoying self, Snape went over various papers on the upcoming play. The script was diabolical but since he had left it up to the students he wasn't too surprised. In fact, he was amazed that they had managed to string at least two sentences together in the first place. They were making hardly any progress in the rehearsals, and the date of the play and the mole's intended attack on Harry were drawing nearer.

"Sir!" said Ron, bursting into his office. "Harry, he..."

Snape jumped up. "What? What is it boy?" Snape asked frantically.

"He can't make the rehearsal this evening. He's got a headache."

Snape could feel his blood boiling. "Have you any idea what..." but Snape stopped himself from going further and he took some deep breaths. "Very well, Mr Weasley. You can stand in for him tonight."

"I'm feeling a bit ill too," Ron replied quickly. "I must have um, caught it from Harry."

"Then I suggest you keep well away from him."

Ron groaned and quickly left Snape's office.

'Headache?' Snape thought, 'Can't the ungrateful twit see that he is in more danger than a headache? Can't the twit see that he is giving me a headache?'

Snape turned his attention back to his papers with a sigh. It was difficult being the only intelligent being at Hogwarts, but it was a burden he was just going to have to bear.

***

Ron, Hermione and Solitaire sat around a table in the Great Hall waiting for Draco and Snape to turn up. They were eating cakes that Hermione had made with a few spells.

"So," said Ron. "What was it like being a pig?"

Solitaire glared at him. "You should know since you are one every day."

Ron glared back.

"I wonder who did it?" asked Hermione.

"I have my suspicions," replied Solitaire, looking at Ron.

Before Ron had a chance to respond Snape swept into the hall. "Why are you sitting around? You should be going through your lines!"

"Draco's not here yet," Solitaire pointed out.

"Then we shall continue without him."

"Would you like a cake, Professor Snape?" Hermione asked sweetly.

"No."

"I really don't feel too well," said Solitaire suddenly. "I think I just want to rest my head down on the table and sleep..."

Ron did exactly the same.

Snape stared at them. "Is this some kind of joke?" They didn't move. He looked at Hermione. "Do you feel well?"

"I feel fine," she replied.

"Have you eaten any of those cakes?" Snape asked Hermione.

"No, sugar is bad for your teeth. My parents are always telling me that."

"Then why did you make them?"

"I was trying out a new spell."

"How many people have eaten them?"

"A few."

Snape look relieved.

"And everyone in Gryffindor. I left them on a plate in the common room."

"Go to my office and do not move!" Snape went and fetched Madam Pomfrey and they headed for the Gryffindor common room.

"Password?" asked the Fat Lady.

"Just let us in you old bat," replied an annoyed Madam Pomfrey. Nobody stood in the way of her and medication.

The door swung open and they went in. Everyone was asleep.

"What is it?" asked Snape.

"Well, I'd say that Hermione isn't a natural cook. It will take a few hours for them all to wake up, but they will be fine when they do."

"I'll leave them with you, Poppy," said Snape. "I have matters to attend to in my office."

When Snape got there Hermione was hovering outside looking extremely nervous.

"So, Miss Granger, do you want to explain why you have poisoned all your friends?"

"I didn't know this would happen," said Hermione quietly, her eyes wide.

"What did you think you were doing? Of all the idiot students in this school, I did not think you would be the one to pull a ridiculous stunt like this."

"No, honestly, I was just trying out some new spells and the cakes looked fine. I must have made a mistake; I can't believe I made a mistake. I study so hard, I just..."

Believing her, Snape relaxed a little. "I suggest you go back to your common room, help Madam Pomfrey and stay away from any cooking spells."

Watching Hermione walk off, he was just about to close his office door when he saw Draco sauntering down the corridor. "Mr Malfoy, where exactly are you going and why were you not at the rehearsal?"

"Things to do, people to see," he replied smoothly.

Snape stared at him. "Mr Malfoy, the only 'people' you will be seeing over the next twenty four hours is myself as you clean out the Potions lab. Now, I'll ask you again, where are you going and why did you miss the rehearsal?"

"There's no need to take that attitude, Sev," Draco replied with a smile.

"In there!" Snape opened the door to the Potions classroom. "I want every last bit of slime cleared from the desks." 'I wonder if the mole would consider changing their intended target to Draco,' Snape thought to himself, amazed at Draco's sudden confidence.

Draco turned his nose up at the task whilst Snape marked papers. About half an hour later there was a knock on the door.

"Yes?" he asked sharply.

It was Professor McGonagall. "Evening, Professor Snape. I was just wondering if you were aware that a giant stage has been constructed in the Great Hall."

"How?"

"Well, I was hoping you might know," she replied, her right eyebrow slightly arched.

Snape looked at Draco. "You stay here," he said as he followed Professor McGonagall out of the room.

Making sure that Snape had really left, Draco looked out into the corridor. "Lowri?" he called out.

A figure stepped out of the shadows.

"How's your arm?" Draco asked with a smile.

"They're going to pay." Was her simple reply.

***

Snape beckoned to one of the House Elves who were hovering around the stage. "Where did this come from?"

"Sir, I don't know, sir."

"Are you telling me that it just appeared out of thin air?"

"Sir, yes it did, sir."

Snape sighed as another elf came rushing over. "Mr Professor Snape, we found this note."

He took the note from the elf and read it aloud. "The show must go on. The show never stopped."

"What does that mean?" asked Professor McGonagall.

"I am sure we are about to find out," said Snape.