Chapter 32: United we stand, divided we fall

If you had crept around Hogwarts at this hour on Friday, you probably would have seen the occasional ghost float by or see a student who was un-willing to learn skip classes. But no fifth year could dream about skipping lessons now...not when it was one of the most crucial parts of their life taking place in the great hall. If you were a fifth year and you were skipping lessons, then you were a fool. A fool who would never be able to get a job...unless of course you got a job in the muggle world. Even then, you need muggle grades which most young witches and wizards assumed to be the equivalent of O.W.Ls. Except there was no magic, nor wands, nor anything to do with wizard subjects. 

But right now in the great hall, all fifth year students were grinding their teeth and biting their nails and making their brains hurt as they tried so desperately to complete their final O.W.L paper. And with a large clock ticking away the precious time, they had to think fast and ignore their long awaited freedom that they all felt was non-existent after all the studying they had endured. 

Roughly, in the middle of the hall, sat an anxious Shona McGuire who wished desperately that she had paid more attention in lessons...that's what you wish Shona was thinking. She was actually thinking back to second years lessons and wishing she had given Gilderoy Lockhart an even worse time than she had as well as Snape in general. At the same time, she was trying to complete her paper. 

Nearing the back sat a nervous Lucy Snape who was not only looking back in her test paper but also her memory for anymore information that could help her achieve a higher grade. She was aiming for an 'Outstanding' on everything, but could just about tolerate 'Exceeds Expectations.' If she got anything lower she would be mortified. 

'Hey,' Shona's voice rattled through Lucy's brain, making her flinch. 'Can you help me, Lucky?' 

'Shona, this is a test, not a "I don't know the answer lets ask Lucy class!"' Lucy snapped back in her mind impatiently. 

'I'd ace in that class...please help me!' 

'No, we're technically breaking the rules right now, I am not going to fail because of you!' 

'Aww, come on! Nobody can hear us! Watch — DOLORES UMBRIDGE IS A BIG FAT TOAD!' Shona thought loudly and then looked either side of her and no-one reacted. 'See what I mean? If I'd actually yelled that, my test paper would have been ripped up and the woman in pink up there would have — ' 

'Lovely. Now, keep your thoughts to yourself — literally — and get on with your own work. I don't expect to hear a peep out of you until the test is over.' 

'I am so stealing your bag when this is over.' 

'SHONA!' 

'Fine, fine. McGuire, over and out.' 

Lucy breathed a silent sigh of relief and had just dipped her quill in her ink when she heard Shona's voice in her head again: 

'What's the answer to question three?' 

Lucy thought back some colourful words and Shona was stunned for a moment. 

'OK, thanks for the help, bye!' 

*      *      * 

"Got your bag!" Shona yelled as they collected their bags after the test was over and ran into the school grounds to enjoy their long awaited — and deserved — freedom.

"Give it back!" Lucy growled as she chased after Shona. "Why is it you pick on me?" 

"Because you're short, NOW COME GET IT, SHORTIE!" 

Shona ran on the grounds of Hogwarts as Lucy chased her. Unfortunately Shona had much longer legs and was always in the lead. They practically ran around the whole of Hogwarts castle! They ran into the Transfiguration courtyard and onto the path framing it where you could get to the classrooms. 

"Come on!" Shona laughed and passed the Transfiguration room and the door next to it. 

"Shut up!" Lucy panted as she continued to chase Shona; she needed her bag back. "I'm going as fast as I can." 

"You'll never catch up with me!" 

Shona seemed to run further and further ahead until finally Lucy had run out of breath and paused just past the Transfiguration room where there was an alley way to the side of her. She inhaled and exhaled deeply until she got her breathing back to normal. Just when she was about to continue running, she looked to the alley way and she paused. 

Was she seeing that right? 

No, of course not. That would never happen to her. 

She blinked a couple of times. 

No, she wasn't dreaming. 

Lucy's eyes went wide as she realised what was going on. There, stood Fred in the alley way with his arms wrapped around Angelina Johnson as he kissed her passionately; more so than he ever had to Lucy. 

Lucy's face fell, her heart sank, her shoulders slumped; why her? 

"F-Fred?" Lucy stammered, Shona had stopped running because she wondered what was going on. 

Fred looked up from Angelina, she clung to him lovingly. Fred's face fell just like hers had and he went rather pale. 

"Lucy!" Fred laughed. "I can explain!" Just then Shona ran over. 

"What's going on?" Shona asked quickly, still clucthing Lucy's bag. 

"Hey, Shona," Fred muttered. 

"Oh, so this is where you've been running off to?" Shona demanded. 

"I can explain!" 

"Save it!" Lucy fumed as tears streamed down her face and she ran off. She completely forgot about her bag as she ran as quick as she could to the dungeons. 

She opened the door as fast as she could and ran to her room, ignoring Jessica who was sitting there reading a book. As soon as Lucy had was in her bedroom, she slammed her door behind her and laid on her bed. 

She had too many questions that needed answering: why had Fred cheated on her:? Why was he cheating on her with Angelina? What had she done wrong? Why would he do something like this? 

The questions she had were endless, but one thing was for sure: 

Fred Weasley was a traitor. 

*      *      *

It was a normal day in Scotland, the skies were clear and the sun was finally out, indicating it wasn't too long until summer arrived despite the fact there was a chill in the air. The atmosphere was absolutely perfect...so perfect Snape felt he was being welcomed back to Hogwarts. 

The Hogwarts train was taking a special journey towards Hogsmeade station just for him. It had been decided by Fudge that Snape would come back to Hogwarts because it was apparent that Jessica could not teach. She had been observed and had failed even though Umbridge had promised to train her and make sure she was a suitable teacher. But Fudge had refused and told her Snape needed to come back. Not only to teach potions but the other two members of the gifted needed him. They were falling apart without him there. 

As the train ambled along the tracks towards the station, Snape polished off his second glass of wine, he was finishing it out of pure enjoyment as he was without a care in the world. When he arrived at Hogsmeade station he knew Lucy would be standing there waiting for him, she'd be there on the platform wearing a big smile just for him; this is what he'd been looking forward to. Just to see his daughter. 

This was the only thing that had kept him going when he was alone at Spinners end, he knew that if he wasn't going to come back to Hogwarts he would be able to see Lucy when the summer holidays came. At least he knew he would be able to see her sooner now that Fudge had invited him back. He couldn't express how happy he was now that he knew he would finally be able to see Lucy. 

As the train began to slow down Snape quickly ran back to the bar to deposit his wine glass and wine bottle before running back to his compartment and grabbing his briefcase and daily prophet. He didn't dare look out the window despite the fact he knew Lucy was there; he wanted to surprise himself. 

He made sure he had everything before standing by the exit and then bracing himself. He then opened the door and was practically smiling when he stopped. Lucy wasn't standing on the platform; Shona McGuire was. 

"McGuire!" Snape barked, he was angry at her because she wasn't Lucy. He wanted to see his daughter and not the pest who bothered him in every potions lesson. "Where's Lucy?" 

"Listen, she's not very — " Shona began but Snape interrupted her. 

"What's wrong with her?" 

"She's — " 

"Who's hurt her?" 

"SHUT UP!" Shona screamed and Snape immediately silenced. "If you keep quiet I might be able to get a word in!" Snape was about to apologise but he had just been told to keep quiet so he kept his mouth shut. "Do you know about Lucy going out with Fred?"

"Yes," Snape nodded, his lip curled in an un-satisfactory manner. 

"Right, well — " and Shona explained to Snape about what had happened yesterday. When Shona was finished explaining Snape stood still with a blank expression. It turned to a simple frown to a face that could have killed someone. 

"I want to know exactly where Mr. Weasley is this second," Snape wasn't shouting, it was worse; his voice was dangerously low which even made Shona a little scared for Fred. 

"Probably in the main courtyard," Shona guessed off the top of her head. "With his new girlfriend." 

"God help him," Snape hissed and before Shona realised it he was running towards the main courtyard as quick as he could. Shona quickly caught up with him and as they entered Hogwarts castle, students dodged out of their way and muttered things like: 'Professor Snape's back!' as well as 'There's two of the gifted, they must be getting back together.' and 'Where's Lucy?' But Snape and Shona ignored this as they ran as quick as they could. 

As soon as they arrived in the main courtyard they saw Fred sitting on one of the stone benches with Angelina next to him. Snape strode towards him; pure anger in his eyes. He was about to grab the red-haired boy by the throat when McGonagall stood in front of him. 

"Professor," McGonagall exclained sternly. "It's good to see you back." 

"Not now, Minerva!" Snape hissed but McGonagall put a firm hand on his shoulder. 

"That will do, there is no need to go and tear a student apart." 

"You do realise what's — ?"

"Yes, I am well aware. It is being dealt with, just go and see your daughter." 

"Where is she?" 

"She's locked herself up in the dungeons, she hasn't been seen since a little while after the O.W.L exams." 

"Very well," Snape straightened up as the whole of the main courtyard stared at him. "I shall leave." Shona was about to follow him when Snape whipped aroud. "McGuire, leave." 

Shona nodded and then ran into the castle, whereas Snape headed towards the dungeons. He pushed passed every students until he reached the cold dungeons. He was about to open the door when Jessica walked out with her belongings. 

"Professor," Jessica smiled. Snape nodded. 

"Miss Stone," he greeted simply. "Is my daughter there?" 

"Yes, she's in her room. I tried to lure her out but she doesn't seem to want to leave so I left her." 

"It's the best way." 

"I know." Jessica sighed and their eyes met for a short moment. Jessica was about to leave when Snape put a hand on her arm, harder than he meant to even so he dismissed this. 

"Thank you for looking after Lucy." He granted. 

"It's my job," Jessica sighed. "Nevertheless you are welcome, I wouldn't have left her to suffer all alone while you were gone." 

Snape let go of her arm and she was free to go, he stood there for a moment before he walked into his quarters. He didn't bother expecting the place, instead he walked straight to Lucy's room. He stood outside the door and placed his hand on it too. He then pressed his ear to the door and listened closely. 

There was silence on the other side of the door. He decided it was OK to the open door, so he did so. He was about to walk in when Lucy herself enclosed her arms around him. He was taken by surprise but quickly put his arms around her too. 

"I've missed you," he said finally. 

"I've missed you too," she whispered. She wasn't crying, she was fighting the tears. Snape assumed she had cried yesterday, which was understandable, but now she was fighting it back. 

"You know I was about to give Mr. Weasley the sharp end of my tongue before McGonagall stopped me," Snape laughed as he let go of her. She rubbed her eyes and looked down. 

"Leave it, he's not worth it." 

"So you've already moved on?" 

"Why wouldn't I be over a traitor?" 

"That's true..." Snape murmured; Lucy was taking a break-up far better than he would have. "So tell me how you did in your O.W.Ls." 

"Quite well, I suppose...one of the examiner's seemed very fond of me. Which, in a way, made me smile." 

"Well, why wouldn't it?" Snape frowned. "You have followers on this adventure, some may leave you, some may join in late and some may stay loyal until the very end. But whatever happens, you know I'll always be there for you."

"Really?" Lucy knew her dad had promised a lot of things and had tried to keep to those promises but one thing was for sure; he hadn't been there at the very start. She wasn't doubting him, it just seemed strange to promise a promise in which could easily fall apart. 

"Of course. I'm part of the gifted and I am your father, why would I leave you?"

Lucy opened her mouth to speak but then closed it and started a more appropriate answer. "You wouldn't." She thought for a moment and then looked up at him. "I believe you."

He nodded then patted her on the shoulder; it was good to finally see her again. 

Lucy forgot her doubts and accepted her fathers kindness; it was good to finally see him again. 

"Besides," Snape laughed all of a sudden. "It's best to be single."