Chapter 18: Confusions

Snape listened to Lucy as she packed her things upstairs. The sounds of her thumping the drawer and scuttling calmed Snape down hugely. He smiled to himself as he finished writing to Professor Dumbledore. His hand was bandaged and it went right up to his shoulder. It was a new type of bandage apparently, it acted as a cast and a bandage but allowed free movement. Snape's writing looked scruffy since he'd written with his left, but that didn’t matter since he could read it. Snape clicked his fingers and an owl flew in. it landed on his shoulder loyally and Snape picked up the parchment. Snape also handed it a little purple envelope, which it clung onto

"The parchment is to Professor Dumbledore, the others to a student in the Gryffindor common room. Calls herself Shona" he told the bird.

Snape stared at the owl as he stood up

"Go on!" He urged, flicking his hand at it like a cat. The owl hised in Snape's ear and he winced. The owl stared at him and snape sighed "i'll pay you when I have the money"

At the words the bird flew back out the window and to the headmasters office. Snape resumed his leather chair as Lucy bounded in

"Dad have you packed your case?"

"Um, no but I will" Snape replied. Lucy took a seat next to him as he read the paper

"That was strange with the maradurs map” Lucy said concerned. Snape made a low noise and she shook her head "you know your going to have to speak about it sometime" she replied. Snape made another low noise and she rolled her eyes.

"Lucy?"

"Yes?"

"Come look at this" Snape sounded concerned as he lowerd his paper. She went over and looked at it, there was a picture of the Minister and his wife, with the headline ‘no need to worry’

Snape spoke aloud as he read the page

"The minister today has announced that the rumours of the medieval islands are false. It comes after a party of angry protesters broke into the ministry and found a secret floor used, in ths case, to find out about the islands. They where disturbed to find shocking information before being arrested. They have been forced to make the unbreakable vow to not say a word. This concerns many of the public today.But as the minister reported to day, no fear" Snape paused the continued. "The place is safe and I can assure you that I will do all in my power if there was a ‘medival island’ alive. So to conclude, dont worry. Not the best advise the minister has ever given out”

 "Rita skeeter" Lucy muttered

"Well what do you think?"

"It is odd, but it's none of our business" Lucy admitted. Snape made a humorous noise wich made Lucy laugh.

"I'm going to get a drink of water” Lucy muttered. Snape watched her disappear before turning back to his paper. He turned the page and stopped. He scanned it fully and raised an eyebrow. Snape doubled checked Lucy wasn’t around before tearing out the article. He folded it up sharply before digging it into his pocket. Lucy arrived back and smiled

"It's been weird with you not teaching" Lucy admitted "we had a supply teacher. She was rubbish. I had to point out what a bronzor bean was to her"

Snape chuckled and wiped his brow "but that’s first year work!"

"I know! We all laughed at her!” Lucy smirked. Snape shook his head and returned to his paper "you look good without a cape dad"

"really?" He asked

Lucy nodded "much better. Cant explain why but you look better"

Snape his a smile behind his paper as the clock struck ten

"Is it that late? I'll be going to bed" Lucy yawned. She kissed him softly on the cheek before walking upstairs. Snape stared before reorganising himself in his seat. Pleased with himself, he waited until lucy had gotton into bed. Snape got up and paced around the room waiting. It was half past ten when the door creaked open. Snape watched as the hand closed it softly

"Got your letter" Shona whispered