Chapter 14: Captivating Complications

"What should I wear, Dean?" Lucy sighed as she looked into her wardrobe in her room. She was trying to find an appropriate outfit for Slughorn's dinner party. Dean was sat on the edge of her bed with Angus on his lap. He had become quite fond of Angus considering he was rather scared of him when the two first met. It was un-common for Angus to make friends with people. 

"It doesn't matter what you wear, you'll still look pretty!" Dean smiled. 

"Aww," Lucy said, all flattered. "What are you going to be wearing anyway?" 

"What would like me to wear?" 

"Have you got a suit?" 

"Plenty." 

"Well then, there's your answer. How about you go and get changed into a suit down in the guest rooms while I find something to wear." 

"Yes, of course!" Dean stood up and placed Angus on the bed. "Goodbye, Angus!" 

Angus purred in response before Dean left to go and get changed. As soon as Dean had left the room there was a knock at the door. Lucy looked up from her wardrobe and saw Snape walk in. He was holding something behind his back. 

"Yes, dad?" Lucy asked. 

"I heard you were having trouble looking for a dress," he said before revealing a turquoise coloured dress with pleats. 

"Oh! Thank you!" Lucy gasped and took the dress from her father. 

"Don't thank me, thank Jessica. She knows where to get these sorts of dresses, she even told me she'd like to help re-stock your wardrobe." 

"She's very much entitled to look for dresses that she thinks I might like, I'm not overly fussy," Lucy shook her head. "That is of course if she wants to." 

"I'm sure she'd be delighted to, she tells me she's always wanted to buy someone plenty of clothes and see them wear them." 

"What are you implying?" 

"Nothing. She's just a giving person," Snape shrugged and Lucy smiled. "What?" 

"Only a little while ago you would have said the complete opposite and would have started insulting Jessica! Who are you and what have you done with my father?" 

"We can change, can't we?" Snape asked with an innocent face. "We can dismiss our old image we have built for our self and make a new one, can we not?" 

"I never said change was bad it's just...it's rather peculiar how you seem to have taken to her all of a sudden." 

"I had a change in heart, I have only just discovered the facilities she is offering us but I have been too blind to take them." Snape sighed. "Lucy, have I ever told you how lonely I feel sometimes?" 

"But you have me, don't you?" Lucy's shoulders slumped. "I thought that hole of emptiness was filled when you found me?" 

Snape placed a hand on her shoulder. "By a great deal, I cannot deny that in any way." 

"Then what are you trying to say?" 

"I'm saying that nobody has ever loved me before, not even your mother. I loved her but I don't think she loved me as much as I loved her, besides she had Potter. She had Potter to love and there was no one in return to love me." 

"So you're saying that you love Jessica?" Lucy gasped but Snape fell silent. "Dad, that's...great!" 

Snape snapped out of guilt. "Are you sure?" 

"It's not like you're too old for this sort of thing, besides you're thirty-five years old! You and Jessica would make a great couple!" 

"But I have you!"

"Me? I'm not going to get in the way! If it really helps just forget about me, just because I'm Lily's daughter doesn't mean I have to spoil your enjoyment." 

"I didn't mean that, I'm saying that I have you to look after." 

"You can still look after me and I can look after myself as well, I'm sixteen years old and I've got to make decisions for myself." 

"But what about the Zuc side of things?" 

"That's why Dean was hired," Lucy pointed out wisely. "Remember?" 

"Yes, of course. But if you ever need anything — " 

"I should ask you, I know. Now if you don't mind I'd like to get changed." 

Snape left the room and Lucy swiftly got changed into her dress. When she walked into the living room she saw Dean sitting there in his black suit. He smiled at her and stood up, then took her hand. Lucy was half expecting him to hug her to death like he did when he accidentally knocked her over. 

"Have fun," Snape waved as Lucy and Dean left to go to Slughorn's dinner party. 

Lucy and Dean walked down many corridors while people were staring at them, it was no surprise of course because they looked like a couple but they were not. They were simply friends attending Slughorn's dinner party, it was just a shame how them holding hands could be misleading. 

"Lucy?" Dean asked timidly. "Why is everyone staring at us?"

"I think it's because they think we're a couple," Lucy replied with a shrug. 

"Oh!" Dean said. He looked rather shocked. "But I'm just your bodyguard!" 

"Holding hands can be misleading to some people." 

Dean let go of Lucy's hand. "I'm sorry," he whispered guiltily. "I-I didn't mean — " 

"It's fine," Lucy replied. "You can hold my hand if you wish, others might think we're going out but we know we're just friends and that's all that matters isn't it?" 

Dean smiled one of his adorable smiles. "Yes, that's very true," and with that he took Lucy's hand again. 

The two of them walked to Slughorn's party together and as they walked they just talked about general things, like how much Dean was enjoying Hogwarts and how much Lucy was pleased about how Dean was enjoying Hogwarts. Lucy was still shocked at how wonderful Dean was despite coming from the Medieval Islands. He was so kind and was always there for Lucy, she just couldn't have asked for better. 

"I'm so glad I'm accepted here," Dean breathed a sigh of relief. "I thought everyone would instantly hate me considering where I am from."

"We know that you're not like the majority of people on the medieval islands and that's why you're accepted." 

"It's lovely to know that, I never thought I'd be accepted." 

"Oh, Dean!" Lucy smiled and gave him a hug. "I'll always accept you! Dad and Shona accept you too! As well as all of my other friends!" 

When she looked over Dean's shoulder she saw Matt standing there. He had one hand in his pocket and the other was clutching the strap of his satchel that was hung over his shoulder. She knew what he wanted to ask her and he knew too. He ran his hand through his hair and then walked away from the two. 

"What are you looking at?" Dean wondered and they let go of each other, Lucy pointed silently to Matt walking away. "He desperately wants to go out with you, doesn't he?"

"So it seems but I don't want to go out with him." 

"I don't blame you, it appears he has a bad reputation judging by the amount of schools he's been to." 

"He'll soon get the message that I don't want to go out with him." 

"Agreed." 

Dean and Lucy entered Slughorn's dinner party, all eyes turned to them. They slowly took their seats next to each other but still everyone seemed to like staring at them. Lucy tried to distract herself with her dress but as much as she loved it, it wasn't enough to ignore the people staring at her. 

"Hey," a voice whispered. Lucy looked up and saw Ben sitting the other side of her. "Are you two going out?" 

Lucy raised her voice so the whole room could hear. "No, me and Dean are not going out. He's just my bodyguard if that's what you were wondering, Ben." 

After Lucy had announced that everyone began talking again, even Slughorn resumed talking to Neville who was sat near him. Lucy turned back to Ben and he looked at her. The two didn't speak for a moment before Lucy finally plucked up the courage. 

"I hear you're going out with Ellen Knightly, is that true?" Lucy wondered. 

"That's right," Ben nodded. "She seemed pretty positive about — " 

"Who asked who?" 

"Well, uh — " 

"Was it you who asked her?" 

"No, actually — " 

"So you're telling me that that evil witch asked you out and now you're under her curse?" Lucy blurted out all of a sudden. 

"Pardon?" Ben frowned. 

"Never mind," Lucy shook the comment away. "So have you met Shona McGuire yet?" Lucy asked casually. 

Ben's face brightened up. "As a matter of fact I have! She's such a lovely girl, I wouldn't say she was my friend yet as we've only met once. But the little time I spent with her we managed to call ourselves acquaintances." 

"Aquiantances, huh?" Lucy nodded. 

'LUCY, SHUT UP!' Shona yelled in her brain and Lucy almost jumped out of her skin. Lucy hadn't heard from Shona since earlier on that day. 

'Hey! How do you know I'm talking to Ben Truman?' Lucy replied back in her head. 

'Snape foresaw it, you imbecile. Now stop adding me into the conversation and talk about...butterbeer, I don't know something that steers clear of me.' 

'But why?' 

'Because he doesn't need to know, alright? If I want to ask him out I'll do it myself...' 

'But, Shona, he's going out with — ' 

'Yes, yes, I know. There's no need to remind me! I just forgot about that.'

'Sorry...but don't you at least want a chance with him?' 

'I do but it's not going to happen now, is it? Now, if you mention one more thing about me to him I will go up to Matt and tell him you love him with everything you have.' 

'You wouldn't,' Lucy thought darkly. 

'Oh! And I'll tell him you want to go to the three broomsticks tomorrow to drink butterbeer and smooch in the corner!' 

'Alright, fine! Just leave me alone and I won't mention you to Ben again.' 

'Good. McGuire over and out.' 

"Lucy?" Ben waved a hand in front of her face. 

"Huh? What?" 

"I've been calling you for at least a minute, where have you been?" 

"Oh, I've just been thinking about something. You know how it is, being Merlin's descendant you've got a lot of your mind!" Lucy picked up the glass of wine in front of her and went to drink it but most of it ended up on her dress. "So much so you're the biggest klutz in the world." 

"Here, let me get that," Ben pulled out his wand but before he could help Lucy out she pulled out her own wand and got rid of the wine stain on her dress with just a flick of her wand. "You can do non-verbal spells?" 

"I can, I think I inherited this talent from my father."

"It takes a real wizard or witch to pull off non-verbal spells, I admire you," Ben smiled. Lucy muttered a small word of thanks before successfully drinking out of her re-filled wine glass. 

"Well, thank you all for coming!" Slughorn announced as he clasped his hands together. "It is an honour to have you all here, especially Mr Potter and Miss Snape!" 

Slughorn continued to droan on about how delighted he was with all his guests turning up until he finally waved his hand and their starter appeared before them. It just so happened that he knew what everyone liked which pleased all of them. Even Dean looked shocked when he saw a bowl full of prawns appear in front of him. 

"So, Cormac," Slughorn began. "I know you're related to Tiberius, is he your Uncle?" 

"Yes, he's my Uncle," Cormac smiled. "He's quite close with Rufus Scrimgeour, the new Minister for Magic." 

"Interesting! How do you think Mr Scrimgeour is as our new Minister for Magic?" 

Cormac laughed. "Well he's better than Fudge!" 

Lucy frowned, she had really taken a liking to Fudge who was the old Minister for Magic, he had been really kind to her even if he did get her name wrong. Suddenly she felt very defensive of Fudge, especially as Cormac had insulted him. She didn't really like Cormac in the first place, now she disliked him even more. 

"I think Mr Fudge was a great Minister for Magic," Lucy smiled proudly. "He was a nice man too, he always helped me out." 

"Oh," Cormac said, his lip curling into a sneer. "You're the Quidditch captain for Gryffindor and I'm not good enough for your team and Weasley is?" 

"Ron Weasley is a fantastic Keeper and I didn't see him let one Quaffle in, McLaggen, unlike you." 

Cormac's mouth fell open. "T-That's barbaric! I would have saved that but a strong wind caught me!" 

"Well if a strong wind can catch you, you can't be on the team! We play in the wind and rain you know, it doesn't matter how cold it is out there; we play." 

"Settle down now!" Slughorn ordered. "I'm sure Miss Snape has made a good decision for the Quidditch team and I wouldn't moan too much, McLaggen, because you're a substitute!" 

Cormac muttered something under his breath before finishing his starter. However, if you joined the Slug club, you were not safe. You would be interviewed in front of everyone else...and today it was Dean's turn to be interrogated more than anyone else. 

"Today we have a new recruit!" Slughorn announced happily, gesturing to Dean who seemed to be enjoying his starter too much because he didn't even notice Slughorn mention him. "Perhaps you could tell us a bit about yourself?" 

Dean continued to eat his food until Lucy gave him a poke in the ribs and he sat bolt upright. He looked around for a few moments before facing Slughorn. 

"Pardon?" Dean asked. 

"Perhaps you could tell us a little about yourself?" 

"Oh! Yes, of course," Dean set down his knife and fork on his empty plate and then began his speech about himself. "My name is Dean Cousins, I'm twenty years old, I am from the Medieval Islands and I am Lucy Snape's bodyguard." 

"Twenty years old?" Slughorn repeated. "I thought you were a student!" 

"I, uh, look a little young for my age," Dean admitted timidly. 

"And you come from the Medieval Islands? I thought that was the area that Miss Snape hated the most?" 

"I did," Lucy announced, not relying on Dean to answer this question. "Well, I still do. But Dean isn't like the majority of people from the Islands, he's kind and very sophisticated and will protect me with his life. He hates Lord Zuc and wanted to join the Resistance to protect me." 

"What a brave young man!" 

Slughorn continued his interrogation of everybody, right through to dessert until they were all allowed to leave. When that moment came everybody practically leapt out of their seats and ran to their freedom, even though they were part of an exclusive club being interrogated by Slughorn wasn't the nicest of things to encounter. Especially not when you were someone like Lucy or Harry when you were world famous and were expected to save the Wizarding world from harm while bad things were said about you. 

When Lucy was about to leave with Dean, a hand was placed on her shoulder from behind. "Could you spare a few minutes?" Slughorn asked. 

Lucy hesitated. "I'm sure I can." 

"Should I wait outside?" Dean asked. 

"Yes, I'll meet you there," Lucy replied and then closed the door, facing Slughorn. 

"I do apologise for pulling you aside like this again but I do have something to show you," Slughorn bowed his head. "You see, I know your father loved your mother deeply and when she...passed, I'm sure he never really wanted to talk about her again." 

"He briefly mentioned her when we found out we were related." 

"He did?" 

"He didn't want to but he did, for my sake anyway." 

"Well I hope to teach you a little more about her this evening," Slughorn gestured her to follow him and she did. He pointed to a shelf full of lots of photographs and Lucy watched them as they moved. In one of them she saw a girl with red hair standing with Slughorn. 

"Mum," she whispered. "Is that her?" Lucy pointed to the photograph. 

"Yes," Slughorn nodded and took the photograph from the shelf. "That is her. She was excellent at Potions." 

"I thought my father was the talented one at Potions?" 

"Oh he is talented, definitely. So is — " Slughorn paused and rephrased his sentence. "Was Lily. She really was good at Potions but your father is more skilled at Defense Against the Dark Arts." 

"No wonder he's been dreaming about the Defense Against the Dark Arts post for years." 

"Yes, Severus has been wanting that post for a long time. But good things come to those who wait, don't they?" 

"I think they do, or so some like to tell me." 

Slughorn looked down at the photograph and smiled. "I remember almost everyone from when Lily was at Hogwarts, as well as — excuse my words — James Potter and his gang." 

"I've only known Remus and Sirius from that gang and I briefly met Peter," Lucy shrugged. "I miss seeing Remus and Sirius, I wish I could go see them now." 

"Yes, it is a deep shame that Sirius Black passed." 

Lucy turned to Slughorn with wide eyes. "Passed?"

"Didn't you hear? He was killed in the Department of Mysteries by Lucius Malfoy while trying to save Harry." 

"I..." Lucy looked away from Slughorn with the tears threatening to fall from her eyes. "I didn't hear." 

"It appears that most of the people I knew back in the day are being killed off at such young ages..." Slughorn muttered. "Well, never mind that. For keeping you back for this talk I shall give you a little something." Slughorn walked over to his desk and opened up a draw. He pulled out a photograph and then handed it to Lucy with a smile. "I don't like giving away my most prized possessions but I think this belongs to you as you deserve it more than me." 

"Thank you, Professor, it was no trouble," Lucy said as she left and tucked the photo of her mother into her bag. 

When she exited the classroom she was met instantly by Dean. "Lucy!" 

"Hey, Dean, we can go now, I'm sorry I made you wait." 

"It was no trouble for you," Dean bowed as they began to walk off. But before they could Matt lept up from his spot on the floor Lucy had just noticed, it was like he had camped out to see her even though he had walked off earlier. 

"Hey, I was wondering when you were going to come out," Matt grinned. "i thought you were never going to." 

"I was talking to Professor Slughorn," Lucy frowned as she tried to walk away from the boy. "Anyway, it's none of your business, why don't you just run along and go and talk to your friends?" 

"I'm sure they won't miss me." 

"I'm sure they will, leave me alone." 

"Look, about earlier; I'm sorry." 

"No you're not," Lucy shook her head, she was starting to get adgitated. 

"Yes I am." 

"Well I'm not sorry about what I said about you. You deserved it for being a complete and utter idiot." 

Matt walked a little further ahead and then stopped dead in front of Lucy and Dean. "What's stopping you from going out with me?" 

"You're an idiot, that's what, you persistently try to get my attention and you're a nasty person." 

"I am not!" 

"You are and you only want to go out with me because of my Merlin status, now if you don't mind I'd like to go. Thank you very much and good night to you." 

Lucy stepped around Matt to his right and Dean to his left, the two left together leaving Matt to clench his fist in annoyance. 

He wasn't going to give up. 

*      *      *

"Lucy," Snape said as Lucy was about to leave and go and meet Shona that Sunday morning. "I was wondering if you'd like to join me and Jessica and lunch time today for a picnic." 

"A picnic?" Lucy repeated. "I'm sure I can make it." 

"I knew you would, please meet us around twelve o'clock." 

"Will do, can I go now?" Lucy sighed as she felt one of her father's long talks coming on. 

"Yes — " Snape began but before he could get another word in, Lucy had rushed out of the door and was on her way to meet Shona. She met up with her and they walked down towards the black lake. 

"God this school is going mental," Shona sighed and went and laid in the shade underneath the tree by the black lake. Lucy did too under the tree as the sun beat down on them again.

"This sun still hasn’t shifted," Lucy muttered and waved her homework as a fan as it was the first thing she could get her hands on.

For days, the sun had burned them and showed no signs of stopping it was a rarity for England but nobody seemed to be complaining about the good weather they would be receiving for once. The lake was showing signs of drought; it was a metre shallower than usual, showing the squirmy mud by the bank. All children were suffering and most were inside with fans on full blast. The only reason the girls were out was because it seemed the only place they could talk without being overheard, a place were Zuc’s name could be mentioned without stares.

"So how’s dad?" Shona asked.

"You called my dad dad?"

"Yes, he is your dad, problem?" Shona smiled as Lucy smirked.

"I don’t know," Lucy shook her head. "It’s just weird to hear you say it like that."

"Why do you say that?"

“Because...” Lucy paused.

"What?"

"Well it was only yesterday night dad told me — " Lucy then began the story about Snape and his little speech about Jessica and how he loved her.

"Woah..." Shona gasped.

"Yes, I know."

"They’re getting back together?"

"I think so."

"You think so? Oh I do hope he decreases the amount of homework in his lovey dovey state, that would be fantastic."

"I doubt he will."

"One can only hope."

"You better start hoping because I think the amount of homework will increase from other teachers," Lucy muttered.

"Never mind that, I think Jessica will be alright for Snape. Might make him calm down a bit, she’s alright and she started the Resistance to protect us."

"Yeah Jessica’s — " But before Lucy could finish a laugh from some boys erupted. Johnny, Alex, Chris and Tyler were running down to the lake, in shorts, they carried their shoes with no pride and avoided the rocks by their feet near the black lake. Matt Jarvin was there as well.

"Look who arrived," Shona said unhappily as Matt looked around with his hands on his hips as the other boys dived bombed into the black lake. Matt knew the girls were there, the only reason he’d said to go to the black lake was to get a glimpse of Lucy. He just knew she was looking at him, it was his way of impressing her.

"Jump in!" One chanted at him as Matt laughed. Then to Lucy and Shona’s absolute surprise Matt undid his plaid top and chucked it to his side. The boys made whistles as Matt went to the edge of the black lake to jump in.

"What an idiot!" Lucy said in a foul tone and crossed her arms. "That’s against the rules! He’ll get in trouble for — Shona?"

"I’m borrowing your Omnioculars," Shona muttered, rummaged through Lucy’s bag, pulled them out and put them to her eyes.

"I thought we agreed the boy was an idiot?" Lucy gasped and frowned.

"Doesn’t mean to say I can’t look at that six pack he’s got going on there," she muttered happily.

"He’s got a six pack?" Lucy muttered curiously before snatching the omnioculars for herself. The truth was the truth and she gawped and Matt dive-bombed into the lake, sending a massive splash of water everywhere.  "Still an idiot."

"Agreed," Shona sighed and laid back into the shade again as Lucy smiled to herself. For a brief second Matt caught glimpse of Lucy looking at him and both looked away quickly.

‘Don’t expect me to jump in,’ Lucy thought.

‘Bet he’d enjoy it though,’ Shona replied in her brain.

"Stop reading my mind!" Lucy roared out loud.

"Just curious..." Shona laughed as the boys splashed around in the black lake.

Half an hour later, Tyler and Chris were sat in the sun and drying off, Matt and Alex as well as Johnny playing with a Quaffle in the water. That was until Matt decided to go check out Lucy. He swam back over to the side and lifted himself up with the power of his arms.

"Here he comes," Shona muttered without looking up.

"Lucy! Come and play with us!" He shouted and ushered his hand at her. Lucy shook her head.

"No thank you I’m quite alright here," Lucy replied politely back despite their argument yesterday night and morning. Matt stood by the water in his black shorts, the sun bouncing off his even and light tanned back.

"The water is nice and cool, are you sure?"

"I’m sure," she replied and pulled out a book and Matt turned away and sat next to Tyler and Chris. Lucy sighed and Shona laughed

"He is trying so hard," Shona muttered sarcastically as Lucy put on some pink sunglasses on. "He needs to give it a rest, doesn’t he?"

"He attacked me yesterday evening as well."

"He did?"

"He did."

"Matt won’t just give it a rest, will he?"

"Apparently not."

"Why doesn’t he go and stalk someone else for a while?"

"Because Matt appears like the type of person who once has his heart set on something won’t stop."

"I hope that doesn't apply to Ben..." Shona sighed. 

"He'll realise what he's doing after a while." 

"But what if he doesn't?" Shona blinked. "He'll go out with Ellen, they'll leave school, he'll propose to her, they'll get married and — " 

"Only dad can tell the future — "

"It’s twelve o’clock."

Both jumped up and realised that it was Snape’s voice inside their heads. Lucy automatically spotted him walking out to them without his cape, unknown he was about to catch five men shirtless and bathing in the sun. Rule breaking once again.

Lucy sprinted over to Matt and his friends, panting, as she got closer to the group. Matt sat up and greeted her with a stupid grin on his face.

"Changed your mind for — "

"Dad’s coming! Hide!" Lucy hissed at them. Matt looked at the shocked faces of his friends who had drinking the pumpkin juice they had and had stopped laughing about whatever nonsense they had made up. Now total panic rang out. Matt and his gang grabbed their stuff and ran about trying to hide. Matt grabbed his stuff and threw it into a bush and sprinted behind the tree where Shona had decided to lean by and watch the panic. Although Matt had been mean to her she felt like saving him because she was that sort of forgiving person.

"Watch out, Jarvin, Cape man’s coming," she muttered to him. Matt stuck himself to it and waited for the coast to be clear.

"Lucy," Snape smiled and hugged his daughter, who hugged him back.

"Dad?" Lucy asked awkwardly.

"Where have you been?I told you to meet me and Jessica at twelve o’clock!"

Lucy smacked her head "I forgot! The picnic with you two! I’m so sorry! I’ll come right away!" She sprinted back to the tree to get her things but Snape interrupted.

"I’ll help bring your things," Snape said and followed when Lucy dug her heel into the ground.

"Oh you don’t want to do that!" Lucy giggled nervously.

"Why not?" Snape asked.

"Um...because I’m a woman now! I need to stand up for myself!"

Snape gave her a look before walking past her. He ignored the hissed talking of his daughter as he went to pick up Lucy’s things when he noticed a Slytherin tie hanging freely from the bush. Matt had brought his tie along despite it being a Sunday, he obviously brought it as a joke He snatched it and scanned it before looking at McGuire.

"Dress up? You know I’m your number one fan," Shona said stupidly. Snape chucked it away, thinking it was a lost tie, until he saw a shoe. Snape stopped.

"Dad! I’ll get my things!" Lucy panicked and picked up her belongings. But Snape opened the hedge to see a bunch of men’s clothing all bundled recklessly into it. Snape growled.  Both girls smiled innocently.

Snape wasn’t fooled.

"What is this?" Snape spat and pointed at the clothing. Both girls stayed silent.

"Um..." both muttered before Matt appeared from behind the tree and stopped. Snape stared.

"Professor," Matt said.

"Your clothes, Jarvin?" Snape pointed at the dirty tie. Matt looked at it and panted harshly.

"I was...swimming over there...and I didn’t want anyone taking my clothing," he admitted slyly. Snape raised his eyebrows.

"I shall be reporting you," Snape growled as he looked at the boy and his toned body. "But I will not deduct points. You’re lucky considering what happened on your first day here, I should give you attention but I’m sick of the sight of you in my classroom."

"Yes, Sir," Matt inhaled some more air before retrieving his clothes. Snape took Lucy away and Shona went after them. Lucy glanced back and Matt winked especially at her.