Chapter 6: Slugging me off

"So you've been invited to lunch?" Snape asked as he read Lucy's invitation from Professor Slughorn. He seemed pretty curious himself but Lucy thought he knew about who Professor Slughorn was...all the teaching staff knew who was who before school started again.

"By Professor Slughorn, who is he anyway?" Lucy wondered as Snape handed her back the invitation and she put it into her bag.

"He's the new potions professor."

"Oh OK," Lucy nodded and stared out the window. But it was only moments later she processed the information that Snape had just spoken aloud. "Wait, what?"

"He will be taking my post as potions master, Lucy."

"But what about you? What are you doing at Hogwarts? Have you been sacked again? Why are you coming to school with me?"

"No, Lucy...I'm going to be teaching defense against the dark arts."

"So dreams do come true?"

Snape shrugged. "You could say that."

"I better be going, I've got to go see Professor Slughorn I suppose...I wonder why he invited me? Everyone's supposed to hate me at the moment."

"They hate Potter too."

"But I've put everyone in danger."

"No, you haven't. Now go find Professor Slughorn, he's five compartments away from here."

Lucy stood up and exited Snape's carriage, literally as she left Jessica went to sit with Snape. Lucy thought that they were getting along now that Jessica had looked after Snape while she was gone. It was nice to see them friends again, it caused less tension and stress between everything considering she was head of the resistance.

When she made it to Slughorn's compartment, she knocked gently and a man with grey hair and a tweed suit opened the door; he looked very professional and had a friendly face. He laughed in a welcoming way as he saw her before him.

"Lucy Snape! How I never thought you would come! Please sit down, my dear, sit down," Professor Slughorn sat her next to him which was opposite a sixth year Ravenclaw boy that she hadn't seen before. She just felt like rolling her eyes; how many more new sixth year students were there?

"I think now that everyone is here it's time we introduced ourselves," Slughorn announced, clasping his hands together. It appeared that Lucy had been the last to arrive and even Harry had made it before her. He gave her a quick thumbs up while she smiled back awkwardly. "How about you go first, young man?"

Slughorn gestured to Blaize Zabini, he was a Slytherin and was in sixth year. Lucy knew for definite that he was not a new student as she recognised him as one of Draco's friends...he looked rather moody (either that or he'd had the misfortune of coming across the American boy.) Blaize introduced himself and Slughorn moved onto the next person.

Next was Cormac McLaggen who was (surprise, surprise) a sixth year boy. Lucy wondered if she'd seen him before or if it was just her imagination, it was as though since she had broken up with Fred she could finally see other boys. It was as though Fred had made her blind to others...maybe the American boy had been here before? Even the Ravenclaw boy that Slughorn had just made introduce himself.

"My name is Ben Truman, I'm a sixth year and a Ravenclaw — " he picked up his tie and gave it a little wave, amusing Lucy a little. "I moved from Collin's academy to Hogwarts because the education is far better here."

"Collins academy? I've heard of that before," said Harry.

"Yes, it's in this country," replied Ben. "It's just that...it's not as popular as Hogwarts. Hogwarts is the place to be!"

"What with Lucy Snape the psycho around?" Lucy blurted out suddenly feeling that she might as well jump on the band wagon and make fun of herself considering everybody else was.

"Lucy Snape isn't - " Ben turned towards her and then almost fell off of his seat; he obviously hadn't realised she was here. "L-Lucy Snape?"

"Yes, it's me...I'm not even going to tell you not to wear my name our because it appears it already has by the papers."

"Oh I've heard an awful lot about you and your companions."

"I think everybody has but they can't figure out the lies from the truth - " Lucy shook Ben's hand as he reached forward nervously in a polite manner.

"I think it's appropriate Lucy now introduces herself," Professor Slughorn smiled. "If you would," he nodded towards her.

"My name is Lucy Snape, I'm in sixth year, I'm Merlin's descendant and I'm also Professor Snape's daughter," Lucy groaned, she felt horrible about introducing herself it was silly. It was like telling someone to breath when they had done so ever since they had been born.

"You also opened the portal of England for Zuc," Blaize Zabini spoke up; Lucy now hated him even more. He was a Slytherin and Slytherin's were always mean (apart from her father and apparently Professor Slughorn too.)

"No she didn't," Ginny barked at him, she was sat next to Cormac McLaggen and looked very angry with Blaize's comment. "I know for a fact that she would never do something like that, she's trying her best to protect us all."

"I-I believe that Lucy didn't open the portal," Ben raised his hand weakly. "I don't believe what the papers say; they talk lies."

Lucy smiled. It was as though some people really did have faith in her even though the majority hated her. She just had to be reminded that hope could be found in the darkest of times she just had to keep looking for it.

"Thank you, both of you for saying that. I can assure you all here right now that I did not open the portal to England for Zuc, he put me under the imperius curse and forced me to say the words to get the portal open. He's an evil man who now wants to destroy the wizarding world."

Slugorn clapped her. "Well said, well said! It's such a pleasure having you here, Miss Snape, it really is!"

As they all ate lunch together Lucy noticed Ben kept looking at her every now and then, it made Lucy think. She wasn't going to be treated like a normal person anymore because she was Merlin's descendant and she was the one who had the power to defeat Lord Zuc but this lead to severe stalking by the press. She was a celebrity in the Wizarding world and everyone wanted to know her inside out. That was why she was always in the papers and that was why Ben was staring at her. Besides, it's not everyday you see your world famous celebrity before your eyes.

Slughorn began asking them all questions as they ate, Lucy felt very uncomfortable answering all of the questions directed at her considering all that had been in the paper. But she just couldn't shake off the look Slughorn was giving her every so often and Ben's too. It was rather annoying having people staring at you but she had to keep reminding herself that she wasn't your ordinary student at Hogwarts...that explained why the American boy had stared at her.

"Goodness! Look at the time! You all better get changed into your robes...but you can drop by my office any time!" Slughorn shooed them all out and Lucy knew now that this was this year's Slug club (apparently he held one every year when he was teaching at Hogwarts.) It reminded Lucy of a not so popular student at school bribing others with money to get them to be their friend. Now he was safe from being alone at Hogwarts and had a group of friends that would get him through it.

"Lucy," Slughorn spoke up as she was just about to leave, she gripped the door frame as the train went over a rough part in the track. "As you're already in your robes can I ask you something?"

"Ben was in his robes too," Lucy muttered.

"Yes but it's you I want to speak with."

Lucy closed her eyes in disappointment, she really had wanted to get away from Slughorn but it appeared she could not escape his clutches just yet. She opened her eyes and then turned around to face the new Professor at Hogwarts...the one in which would be taking her father's place as potions master. This swap of teaching disappointed Lucy because Snape would be moving from teaching her favourite subject to her least favourite subject. She just hoped that Slughorn's teaching was good.

"Yes, Sir?"

He gestured to the seat opposite him. "Please, take a seat."

This obviously wasn't going to be a short chat.

Lucy sat down opposite him and he handed her a fresh cup of tea. He analysed her for a moment as his hand tightened around the edge of his waistcoat. Lucy was half expecting him to pull out his wand and kill her.

"You said that your father was Professor Snape?" He whispered and Lucy could have yelled out of excitement; for once the subject did not revolve around Zuc. Lucy couldn't help but smile.

"I did."

Slughorn took in her change of expression. "It appears you think highly of him, yes?"

"Of course I do, he's the only parent I have. He saved me, sir, he saved me from being an orphan and dying."

Slughorn's face fell. "Y-You mean you're not r-related — ?"

"Yes, we are, but we just didn't know it until fourth year. We had to have a long talk about it though, I thought he abandoned me but turns out he didn't." So Lucy explained the rest of it to Slughorn who seemed to have more and more questions building up in his mind for her.

"That is one heck of a story," Slughorn gasped as he swirled the remains of his tea in the cup. "There is more than what the papers say about you to know."

"It's kind of sad not having a mother but I don't mind. I think that my dad has raised me just fine on his own, he might have only known me for six years but it doesn't matter. He's my dad and I love him."

"Might I ask who your mother is? You don't have to answer if you don't want to, I understand it's a very hurtful subject...I mean, you might not even know."

"Don't worry, it's fine, I know who she is."

"Yes?"

"Lily Potter...nee Evans."

Slughorn almost dropped his cup on the floor, he stared at her eyes and then at the way she sat and the way she awkwardly fiddled with her hair...apparently these were all characteristics she had inherited from her mother (well she knew about the eye colour.)

"That's such a surprise," Slughorn shook slightly, so much so he had to place his cup down. "Considering your mother and father were only friends and then something so terrible happened that they never spoke again!"

"He called her a mud-blood, sir, I know all about it."

"But how — ?"

"How am I here? Let me tell you a little secret," she lent forward. "Merlin's line of descendants never stop going."

Slughorn's face softened. "Is this why you are here?"

"I am here for one reason and for one reason only. I'm not here to be taken care of, I'm not here for sympathy, I'm not here to educate myself and I'm not here for love; I am here to defeat Lord Zuc." Lucy placed her cup down on the table in front of her. "There is no other reason why I'm here but for that, I'm just lucky to have my father. I may seem like a mistake but I have to be here because Merlin's descendants are the only one's that can kill Zuc...you can't just swing a sword at Zuc and hope for the best; it has to be in your blood. You see, sir, my fate has been written out for me ever since before I was thought about."

It was only when the carriage door slid open that it came to both Lucy and Slughorn's attention that the train had stopped. They both looked up and saw Snape standing there holding his briefcase and Lucy's trunk.

"Sorry to interrupt but unless you wish to be taken back to London, I suggest you get off the train and onto the platform...but bring your luggage, this has been requested by Dumbledore," Snape groaned.

"Severus!" Slughorn leaped up and stared at him. "We were just talking about you and Lily! And your wonderful daughter of course - "

Snape gave him a look to stop. "I think it's best we get off of the train now."

"Yes, yes of course," Slughorn grabbed his luggage and all three of them got off of the train after Lucy retrieved Angus. "Is this a new system at Hogwarts that we have to bring our luggage with us?"

"For this year, apparently. We're going to be searched," Snape replied.

"Searched?" Lucy gasped.

"Yes, they want to see if we've got any weapons of the sort."

"B-But Merlin's sword!"

"Don't worry, they'll let that in."

"Are sure about that?"

Snape paused, a look of worry crossed his face. "I hope so."

The three of them wandered towards the front gates of Hogwarts, not bothering to take the carriages as they were all full up. When they arrived they saw Flitwick standing at the gate holding a scroll of parchment, some ink and a quill.

"Names?" He asked the three.

"Professor, you've been teaching me for five years!" Lucy frowned.

"Your name, please!"

"Lucy Snape."

"Full name."

"Lucy Eileen Snape. Seriously, this is stupid, I've been in the papers all summer."

"Yes, well, security has tightened and I will take nonsense from no one on Dumbledore's orders! Now please step aside, Miss Snape or go get yourself searched."

Lucy stepped aside as Flitwick took both Snape and Slughorn's names before they both were re-united with Lucy. They then headed forward to where they would be searched, Snape went first but gave Lucy her trunk before leaving and Slughorn and Lucy were left a little further back in the queue.

"Why did you want to know who my mother was, Professor?" Lucy whispered to Slughorn as they waited.

"Because Lily used to be in the Slug club when she was younger too, you know. She was fantastic at potions as well you, you know. Just like I've heard you are. It would be strange if you were not her daughter for the resemblance is uncanny," he replied in a low voice.

"Next!" The person who was searching all the luggage called. Lucy stepped forward, placed her trunk on the table as well as Angus' cage and her bag. He peered into Angus' cage before opening it and admiring it, he cast a few spells on Angus before placing him back in the cage.

'Really?' Lucy thought. 'He's only a cat...'

'You never know, some people will try outrageous things to get dark magic into Hogwarts.' Snape replied in her mind.

'On a cat? That's just downright weird.'

The man then opened her trunk and began searching through it, he picked out the Tale of the Knights and the orb. He waved them in front of her face and laughed.

"Nice try, misses, but you're not bringing that into the castle. I'm afraid I'm going to have to confiscate these...wonder what other illegal items you're carrying?"

"Oi!" Lucy snapped. "You better put those back otherwise I'll hex you!"

"These items are not allowed into the castle! You either accept that I'm going to take them or I confiscate you as well, Lucy Snape!"

"Hey! You put those back!" Shona screamed as she pushed through the crowd. "They belong to us and you better put them back! Without them we can't do our job! I'd like to see you doing our job Mr - " Shona peered at his name tag to find out he didn't have one. "Mr Hippogriff poop!"

"Might I just intervene here?" Snape asked as he stepped forward. "You surely must know who we are and what we do?"

"Yes I know who you are and what you do but you have to accept that these items are not allowed. I think you've both caused enough trouble recently, so accept the policy or leave." The man then opened Lucy's bag and whipped out Merlin's sword at once. "I think it's time you definitely leave."

"They can't leave! They make two of the gifted! I make up the last part and I'm the most important! Now leave them be!" Shona pouted and crossed her arms, recieving a bit of laughter from the queue.

"Fine, we will leave but you must first confirm this with Dumbledore before we leave. We want to know for definite that these items do not fit the 'policy'."

"I'm afraid I can't bring him down here," the man shook his head smugly.

"I think you can."

They all turned around to find Dumbledore walking towards them. Dumbledore took the Tale of the Knights, the orb and Merlin's sword from the man's hand and his jaw dropped.

"I know who these three people are and I know what they do. They need these items to fulfil their duties so I will allow this weapon - " he pointed to Merlin's sword. "Because this is theirs, as well as the other items."

"A-Are you sure about this? You're blindly going to let these items into the castle?" The man asked. "This could potentially be dark magic!"

"I know it will not be dark magic, now put the items back and let Lucy Snape go," Dumbledore placed the items on the table and the man returned them to their proper places. Before either Lucy or Snape could thank Dumbledore he was already heading back up to the castle.

"Would you like some water with that burn?" Shona asked the man as she placed her lugguage on the table after Lucy had removed hers and placed it on the pile of lugguage where it would be taken to Snape's new quarters.

*      *      *

"Welcome, welcome all to a new year at Hogwarts!" Dumbledore announced once everyone was settled in the great hall. "I expect you've all enjoyed the feast that was provided and have been welcomed back to Hogwarts. But as to our new first years, welcome!"

Lucy and Shona sat in the middle of the Gryffindor table next to each other, watching Dumbledore give his speech. They still gained stares while Dumbledore was talking and it was starting to get rather annoying.

"Now before I begin I'd just like to welcome Lucy Snape back after her dreadful summer on the medieval islands, I expect you all to treat her well — " Dumbledore gestured to Lucy who was desperately trying to hide her blush. Dumbledore clapped, forcing those who did not clap to join in. "She will also be the new Quidditch captain for Gryffindor, we wish her luck!" Dumbledore smiled. "This year we have some staff changes. Proffessor Horace Slughorn will take the place of potion's master this year," Dumbledore gestured to Slughorn, everyone clapped but then it struck Shona.

"But what's Snape doing here?" Shona hissed in Lucy's ear. "What's he here for?"

Lucy snorted. "You'll find out."

"While Professor Severus Snape will take the defense against the dark arts post - " Dumbledore was suddenly interrupted by a fit of screams.

"NO! NO! NO! NO!" Shona stood up and yelled. "I'M NOT HAVING HIM TEACHING MY FAVOURITE SUBJECT! NO WAY NO HOW! I OBJECT!"

"Shona!" Lucy hissed standing up herself and trying to get Shona to calm down. "Shut up!"

"No! I'm not having this! Stephano is not going to teach my favourite subject and drain the fun out of it! This is just horrible!"

"Please just sit down! Everyone's staring at us!"

"They do that anyway," Shona rolled her eyes as Lucy forced Shona to sit down and all eyes returned to Dumbledore.

"Now I think it's appropriate that I let you all know as to why you were searched on your arrival here," Dumbledore continued as Lucy spotted an auror prowling around outside the great hall. "Once there was a young man who like you sat in this very hall, walked this castle's corridors. He seemed like an ordinary student and his name was Tom Riddle. Today of course he is known all over the world by another name which is why as I stand looking upon you all tonight, I'm reminded of one fact. Every minute of every hour of every day, dark forces attempt to penetrate these castle walls."

Suddenly a sharp pain shot through Lucy's head, she bit her lip and gripped the edge of the table. What was wrong with her? It was only a sharp pain nothing to worry about...she didn't want to gain anymore stares from students.

"Some of these forces belong to the medieval islands and a man named Lord Zuc. He as well as...Tom Riddle wish to attack the castle but I can assure you that they will not attack you, for we have put up the strongest defense system possible." For just a moment Dumbledore glanced over at Jessica Stone who was sat near Snape and was no longer under her other persona as Fiona Wave.

"Hey," Shona whispered and patted her on the shoulder. "Are you OK?"

"I'm fine, honestly," Lucy lied as she felt herself lose consciousness for just a moment. "Is the speech almost over?"

"Yeah, almost, I think it's best we get you out of here as soon as possible though."

" — now off to bed, all of you," Dumbledore finished. Everyone made their way out of the hall, Snape, Shona and Lucy being the last one's there as well as a bunch of nervous first years.

"What's wrong with her?" Snape asked, rushing towards Lucy.

"Nothing, I'm fine," Lucy muttered. "I'll see you down in the dungeons, dad - "

"You mean up in the defense against the dark arts quarters."

"Yes, whatever."

"And I thought you slept in the Gryffindor dormitories on the first night at Hogwarts?"

"I don't feel safe there anymore, I could be interrogated by anyone."

"Alright...but why don't you come now?"

"Because I've got to take the first years to the Gryffindor common room, I'll see you later."

Snape gave her a look but left anyway, Shona made her way up to the common room and Lucy led the first years there too. They followed her nervously and she was just waiting for one of them to ask her something ridiculous.

She didn't have to wait long.

"Are you Lucy Snape?" One of them asked.

"Yes, I'm Lucy Snape," she sighed. "What is it you want to ask me?"

"I didn't want to ask anything apart from to confirm who you were," they said, feeling a little awkward after Lucy's reaction. "And I wanted to tell you how brave you were."

Lucy's face softened and she smiled. "Thank you."

When the first years were safely in the common room and knew where their dormitories were, Lucy went to leave but Shona stopped her.

"What?" She asked.

"When are Quidditch trials?" Shona asked.

"I don't know!"

"You're the team captain!"

"Shona, I haven't even had chance to breath yet, can you wait a little bit and I'll schedule them. It'll even be on the notice board when I announce it, OK?" Lucy pointed to the notice board.

"Fine..."

"Why do you want to know anyway?"

Shona looked around. "Just wondering."

"See you tomorrow in the great hall, then."

"Bye."

Lucy left the Gryffindor common room and began to walk down the moving staircases miserably, she was awfully tired and couldn't wait to crawl under her covers and sleep. She could almost hear her bed calling her name. But when she made her way into the entrance hall she was met with a surprise.

The American boy was standing there.

He had just a white shirt and his Slytherin tie was around his neck loosely as well as black trousers and black shoes. Even though his school uniform was brand new it looked like he'd worn it for a while because he wore it without care. Nevertheless, Lucy walked over to him.

"Can I help you?" She asked.

"Oh," the boy turned around and faced her. "You again."

"Sorry, I'll leave if you don't need help...it's just that I'm a prefect and it's my job to make sure people know where they're going and if they need any help."

"Lucy Snape, right?" He asked, ignoring her explanation of a prefect.

"Yes, that's me," Lucy nodded and then expected him to introduce himself but he didn't. She frowned but dismissed it; his name wasn't important.

"I need to get to the Slytherin common room but my friends thought it was funny to ditch me...idiots."

"Who are your friends?"

"Alex, Tyler, Chris and Johnny."

"Oh, I've heard about them...always up to no good."

"Look who's talking."

"Me?" Lucy frowned. "You don't even know me."

He stared at her. "I read about you in the paper, of course I know you."

"The paper's lie."

"How did they lie?"

"I didn't open the portal, OK? Zuc forced me!"

"Did I say anything about that? I said I know you from the papers; calm down, Miss jump-to-conclusions."

"But..."

"You're mental just like they say!" He laughed.

"I-I'm not mental!" Lucy protested, feeling very hurt.

"I was only joking! You really do take things seriously, don't you?"

"Look, I'm trying to help you and all you do is make fun of me! I feel like just leaving you here on your own all night because of the way you've acted!"

Lucy began to walk off but the American boy yelled at her. "I can report you, you know!"

Lucy growled at him and turned around. "Fine, I'll take you to the Slytherin common room, but next time you talk to a girl you should be a bit more respectful."

"Whatever, Snape."

"My name is Lucy."

"Snape's your last name."

"Shut up!"

Lucy led the American boy to the Slytherin common room and when they arrived, The boy looked at the portrait door and went to push it open but Lucy stopped him. She couldn't believe this boy.

"You need a password to get in, you can't just get in whenever you want," Lucy shook her head in disbelief.

"Well, what's the password?"

"I don't know, I'm not a Slytherin! If you hadn't noticed, American kid, I've got a Gryffindor tie!"

"OK, OK, no need to snap! I just asked!"

Suddenly the door swung open and Alex walked out with Tyler, Chris and Johnny. They took one look at the American boy and burst into laughter.

"Shut up, guys, that wasn't funny," the American boy said even though he too was laughing.

"How did you find your way here then, newbie?" Tyler asked.

"She helped me," he pointed to Lucy.

"You got her to help you?" Alex asked, sneering at Lucy.

"Oh no! He's joined the massive group of fools that follow Lucy around!" Johnny moaned putting the back of his hand on his forehead.

"I have not and never will! I think we've all heard about her..." the American boy sneered at Lucy.

Johnny shooed her away. "I think you can go away now, Snape."

Lucy rolled her eyes as Tyler, Johnny, Chris, Alex and the American boy made their way into the Slytherin common room laughing and joking at each other. Lucy made her way up to Snape's new quarters and found him sat there reading the prophet. The defense against the dark arts quarters were quite different to the dungeons but they would have to do.

"Where have you been?" Snape asked. "It doesn't take that long to take a group of first years to the common room."

"I was helping someone else get to their common room," Lucy replied with a shrug.

"Who?"

"This American sixth year boy in your house."

"Never heard of him."

"That's because he's new...I'd be wary of him though, he's rather mean."

"Lucy, you really think a sixth year pathetic boy scares me?"

"I was just warning you..."

"There was no need to, now off to bed, it's late and your lessons start tomorrow."

"Alright..."

Lucy made her way into her new room and crawled under the covers and laid down, noticing her luggage was there on the floor by her bed and Angus was in his basket sleeping. She thought she'd copy Angus and get herself some sleep.

But as she slept there was one thing she kept thinking and it was what the American boy had said to her:

You're mental just like they say!

Even now as she slept the comment she still hurt her, she couldn't believe she had helped him. She should have just gone straight to Snape's quarters and left him alone, but no she went and helped him.

She thought of herself as such a fool...but from now on she vowed not to help the American boy.

For he was someone she needed to steer clear of.