Guilt Is A Useless Emotion (HP) Chapter 9/???
Title: Guilt Is A Useless Emotion
Author: Bree (dhampirvampire)
Rating: T
Pairing(s): None at the moment
Spoilers: Eventual spoilers for Snape's past
Warnings: A bit of language.
Disclaimer: I do not own Harry Potter in anyway.
Summary: How different would Snape's life be if he had a close friend other than Lily Evans?
Author’s Notes: My friend Jane started a crach Harry Potter fic and she kind of inspired me to start this. I never though I would ever publish it though. Now look at where I am. Haha.
Chapter 9: Duals before the Vacation
Christmas vacation was coming up soon and all the students were excited. Most of them were going back to visit their families or go and stay with their friends, but some were going to end up staying at the Hogwarts castle. Viera was so jazzed about seeing her parents all Severus and Victoria could do was be happy for her. After all Victoria and Severus knew that their parents hardly wanted to see them during the summer, so there was really no reason for them to go back during the Christmas break. It was a sad but true fact about their families. Excitement was in the air, and at the end of the day the vacation would start.
Victoria was on her way to DADA, which was taking place in the Great Hall that day, when Lily caught up to her. “How was Transfiguration?’ Lily asked.
“It’s not my favourite class but it was alright.” Victoria replied as the two of them continued on their way to class.
“I heard that Defence Against the Dark Arts is going to be interesting today.”
“How so?”
“I hear that we are duelling today.” Lily and Victoria walked through the door to the Great Hall. The house tables were gone and a long narrow stage stood in the middle of the room. The stage was dark blue and it displayed the entire moon cycle with stairs at each long ends of the stage. Victoria turned to Lily, “Looks like you heard right.”
As class began, Professor Andrews asked all the students to gather around the stage. Victoria stood with the Marauders and Lily on one side of the stage while Severus and Viera were on the other side right across from them. Lucius was in the back coroner of the room examining the class for his ‘ministry position.’
“I know students well enough to not teach them something new right before vacation.” Professor Andrews began, “More than half of the time they return and hardly remember a thing. So, today… we shall practice duelling. This is hands on practice as well as practice for your N.E.W.T.s. It will test your knowledge on spells and charms and your reaction time. BUT! Before I let you get at each other… Professor McGonagall has agreed to a round with me teach and show you how to duel.” McGonagall changed out of her Animagi form and went onto the side of the stage closest to the door. Both Professors went to the centre of the stage.
Both professors yelled. The spells clashed in the center of the stage, making the students duck, neither professor was hit. Immediately afterward McGonagall yelled “Stupefy!” Sirius gave James the money as the Professor Andrews went onto his back for a moment or two. McGonagall had a slight smirk on her face as Andrews stood up. “There you get the gist of it eh?” The Andrews said as he looked around. “Now I want everyone to split up into pairs and practice. Only use spells to disarm or stun. We do not want people in the hospital wing.” Victoria immediately paired up with Lily to spare her the agony of James. They had more clashes than actual hits, Victoria got more hits on Lily than she expected. James and Peter were having a go at each other though Peter seemed to be having a bit of trouble. Sirius and Remus had apparently hit each other with Rictusempra since they were both on the floor laughing really hard. Toward the end of class, Professor Andrews called for everyone to stop and then he turned to McGonagall. “McGonagall, do me a favor and pick out a student to come on stage.”
“First we bow.” McGonagall stated as the both of them put their wands in front of their face and then swiftly moved it to their sides before doing a Japanese like bow. The professors turned their backs to each other and went to the ends of the stage, before taking a stance while facing one another again. James leaned in towards Victoria and Sirius, “I put 10 on McGonagall.” Victoria rolled her eyes and Sirius smirked and replied, “You’re on Prongs…” There was silence for a few seconds…. “Expelliarmus!”
“I can do that Professor.” She stated as she looked around. “Miss Anastasia.” Victoria looked up at her. “You’re a promising student. Come on up.” Victoria sighed as she made her way up on stage. The Andrews was still looking for someone.
“Mr. Malfoy.” Lucius just glared at him. “You are a graduate and I’m sure you have quite a bit of knowledge to offer young students. Would you mind?” He asked motioning to the stage.
“Not at all sir.” Lucius replied as he walked up onto stage.
Victoria gave a slight look of disgust as she heard Lucius’ name. She looked over to her right and saw that Severus was trying not to crack up. He met her gaze and mouthed “Irony…” Lucius and Victoria walked to the center of the stage and bowed to each other.
“Don’t worry, I’ll go easy on you.” Lucius said with a smirk as they walked to the opposite sides of the stage. Victoria and Lucius turned to face each other. Victoria had her wand above her head and her left arm across her stomach, Lucius just stood there staring at her with his wand pointed directly at her. Victoria had the greatest urge just to start jinxing the hell of Lucius but… the professors would not approve. Victoria and Lucius stood there for a second staring at each other. “Expelliarmus!” Lucius called out. Victoria jumped up into the air avoiding his attack and as she came back down she immediately yelled “Incarcerous!” Lucius was then tied up with ropes and could no longer move, he fell to the ground. The entire class was staring at her, and she knew why. Nobody else could jump that high and it was at times like this that being a vampire came in handy.
“Well that was… certainly interesting wasn’t it?” McGonagall asked rhetorically not expecting an answer from anyone in the room. All the students, however, replied with a “Most defiantly.”
Professor Andrews helped Lucius out of the ropes and as Victoria was about to leave the stage, Lucius called forth a Fiendfyre. The fire took the shape of a dragon and Victoria immediately used Glacius, and the collision of the spells caused a small explosion. “Do you want to start something Lucius?” Victoria asked as her eyes went slightly red.
“Enough!” The Andrews exclaimed. “This is getting out of hand. Lucius! The spell you just used are not only harmful to Miss Anastasia but to the rest of the class as well. I’m going to have to ask you to step out, so I can talk with you.” Lucius looked at Andrews and then back at Victoria before he started to walk towards the door.
“Is everybody alright?” McGonagall asked as she led Victoria off the stage. As Lucius left the classroom McGonagall turned to Victoria, “How did you know about that spell Victoria?”
“I read about it…” She replied somewhat befuddled.
“Well it’s a good thing too. I think that’s enough for today Professor.”
“I agree.” Stated Andrews as he looked back up at where the Fiendfyre had been. “That was certainly Defense Against the Dark Arts.” He said with a laugh, the students soon followed in laughing, since they didn’t know what else to do. As he went to talk with Lucius, McGonagall told him to let her handle it.
Victoria stood at the end of the stairs and closed her eyes waiting for them to return to normal. Professor McGonagall had left the classroom and Andrews started lecturing. “What the bloody hell was that about?” Severus asked as he made his way through the crowd of people.
“I have no fucking idea… Where’s Viera?” Victoria replied as she looked past him.
“She’s listening intently on the last minute lecture.”
“Oh, I didn’t even realize he was talking.” She laughed a little.
“I’ll have to talk with him about that. You’re ok right?”
“Yeah, fine.” Victoria replied with a slight smile. “We should probably pay attention before we get in trouble.”
“Oi! Victoria. Are going to go with us to the Great Hall for dinner or not?” Viera asked as she and Severus stood by the exit of the common room. Victoria looked up from the book she was reading.
“I will meet you guys there. I just want to finish up this chapter, it’s only a few more pages.” Victoria replied.
“You sure?” Severus asked.
“Yeah. You guys go and eat. I’ll meet you in a few.” Severus and Viera looked at each other and shrugged as they left the common room. It was a few minutes before Victoria finished the chapter. She got up and carefully and placed the book on her bed before leaving the common room.
The halls were empty and blue from the moonlight as Victoria made her way to the Great Hall for dinner. Victoria loved the night for it seemed like the only time when the world was truly at peace. As she was walking she felt as if somebody was watching and following her, and not in a friendly way.
* Meanwhile at the Great Hall *
The food had appeared in front of the students and almost as soon as it appeared people were stuffing their faces. Severus looked over at the teacher’s table and noticed that the seat reserved for Lucius was empty. “What are you looking at Sev?” Viera asked as she glanced over at him.
“Lucius’ seat is empty.” He replied as he looked back at his plate.
“Yeah so?”
“After Defence Against the Dark Arts class today… I don’t think it was smart for us to leave Victoria alone…”
“Relax Sev. Victoria can take care of herself.”
“Is it just me or have things been a little different since Victoria saw Lucius talking to that man in black.”
“Security seems to have stepped up a bit but…” Severus started standing up. “Where you going?”
“I’m just going to check on Victoria.”
* In the halls *
Victoria felt that something was getting closer to her as she continued on her way to the Great Hall. As if something or someone was slowly creeping up on her. She turned and scanned the halls behind her occasionally but saw nothing. She walked a few more steps and then someone appeared in front of her and pushed her up against the wall. The person had a tight grip on her throat and picked her up a little off the floor. Victoria’s eyes changed to pure red, she closed her eyes and when she opened them Lucius Malfoy was inches away from her face. “Evening love.” Lucius said as he tried to lean in to give Victoria a kiss. She moved her head as far away from him as she possibly could. “Aw, what a shame.”
“You know… I could break your fucking arm right now…” Victoria said with a smirk as she looked back at Lucius. Lucius took out his wand and slightly jabbed it into her stomach and he paced Victoria down on the ground, still maintaining his grip on her throat.
“Try it. I dare you.” Lucius smirked back. Victoria was no fool, she knew that Lucius could hurt her at any moment now. “What did you hear that day at the lake?”
“What?” She asked.
“The Lake! I know you were there when I was having a talk early in the morning. What… did… you… hear?”
“Like I’m going to tell you.” Victoria replied as Lucius let go of his grip on her throat and hit her upside the head.
“Tell me or you will get worse than that.”
“What are you planning to do to with the students Lucius?”
“I’m going to get them to help make history.”
“History? It must be pretty fucking lame if you are involved. Not to mention anyone who recruits you is a blundering idiot and-” Lucius hit her again, his ring scraped against her right cheek making it bleed.
“Don’t ever say anything bad about my Lord.” Lucius examined his ring. He was a little disappointed when he saw a little blood on it but he sucked it off. “Now, what else did you hear?”
“Nothing… just something about ‘recruiting’ the students as fast as possible.”
“Nothing else?”
“No….” Victoria said as she dropped her gaze down towards her feet. Lucius quickly fled when he heard footsteps coming toward them and within a matter of seconds afterwards Severus emerged around the corner. “Hi Sev.” Victoria said as she walked towards him. The scratch on her cheek was the first thing he noticed. He turned her head so that he could see it better.
“Who did this to you? I’m going to kill them.” Severus said as he wiped away some of the blood.
“Who do you think?” Victoria stated as she moved away from him and put pressure on her cheek to help stop the bleeding. Severus was close by her side as they made their way back to the Great Hall.
“Lucius?” He asked.
“Sharp as ever Severus. What did you tell him?” She removed her hand from her cheek and licked away the blood while keeping her gaze on him.
“What do you mean?”
“He knew I was at the Lake that morning! The only person who knew I saw him was you!”
“You think I told him? After what you were telling me, you think I sold you out?”
“Who else could have?”
“I don’t know but I can assure you that it wasn’t me! I swear I’m going to kill that man next time I see him.”
“Don’t even bother… he isn’t worth the time. Besides I know you two are ‘friends’….” They both arrived at the Great Hall to find the students still gorging themselves. Lucius was now sitting at his place with the teachers and Severus just glared at him as he and Victoria found their seats at the Slytherin table. Victoria stole Severus’ seat next to Viera and he just sat down on the other side of Victoria.
“I can’t believe you took that crap...” Severus stated as he traded his half full plate with the empty one in front of him.
“Yeah well he had his wand in my gut… what was I suppose to do? You saw the kinds of spells he knows… I may want to rip his heart out but I’m not an idiot.” Viera looked up intrigued by this conversation that involved such gore.
“Whoa… Who did that?” Viera asked as she turned Victoria’s head a little to see the scratch. Viera looked past Victoria to find Severus pointing behind him toward Lucius. “Blonde haired ass monkey…” Viera stated as she wiped away some of the spare blood and liked it off her finger. “Hey! Not bad… ‘Please sir can I have some more?’”
“‘More? You want more?’” Victoria replied as Viera gave her the saddest puppy dog eyes. “Oh go and maul a chicken…” Viera shrugged and went back to eating she didn’t want to know the details of what happened. Just the fact that Lucius hurt her friend was enough for her to want to kill him. Besides she knew that Severus would pry her open for details sooner or later, if he didn’t already.
Despite what happened earlier in the night, it was the first time Victoria had actually had a decent meal in weeks. Ever since Hogsmeade she had been going to Dumbledore for blood bags and ignoring normal food. What Sanguinarian in her that she could control, seemed to have taken control of her up until tonight. Severus, Victoria, and Viera ended up staying in the Great Hall until the elves cleared them out. “I appreciate what you are doing Severus. Trying to make me feel better, I really do… but you’re cutting off the circulation to the rest of my arm.” Victoria said as the three walked back to the common room.
“Oh, sorry about that…” Severus replied as he loosened his grip on her.
“Why do people always do that to me?” Victoria asked as she looked over at Viera who just shrugged. “So Viera… Are you going home tomorrow?”
“I am. I’m excited to see my family. They are thinking about going back to Germany for a few days to visit our family over there.” Viera replied happily. “What about you guys?”
“We’ll be here at the school…” Severus replied.
“What fun…”
“It’s not all that bad. It’s usually quite beautiful here on Christmas…” The group made their way into the common room and they each chose a piece of furniture. Victoria spread out on the couch, her right hand above her head on a pillow and the left hand rested on her stomach. Viera took the chair on the right of the couch. She found a deck of cards on the table and started to set up a game of solitaire. Severus sat in the chair on the left of the couch and just watched Viera set up her game. He eventually turned his gaze over to Victoria. “So…” Viera started as Victoria looked over at her, “What did Lucius talk to you about exactly… and why did he hit you?”
“Well…” Victoria sat up. “You really want to know?”
“You are one of my best mates of course I want to know!”
“Ok, ok. He apparently knew that I saw him with that guy in black. Lucius, wanted to know what I heard of their conversation.” Victoria looked over at Severus. “When I started to talk bad about him and the guy in black that’s when he did this.” Victoria pointed at the cheek with the ring scratch. Severus and Viera looked slightly pissed when she mentioned that Lucius hit her.
“Aw fuck…” Viera said. Severus and Victoria looked over at her. “This game always fucks me over… I mean you’re good, you’re good, you’re good, FUCK YOU!” Viera shuffled the deck and started up a new game.
“Now I really do have a reason to hurt him.” Severus stated as he looked back at Victoria picking up the conversation where they left off. Victoria looked over at him.
“It’s fine Severus really. Sure he’s annoying as fuck but he will get his one day. Just wait.” Victoria said as she sat up. Almost immediately as she sat up, Severus got up and sat down next to her. He looked at her for a moment before he held her in his arms.
“I won’t let anyone do that to you Victoria.” Viera looked up from her game and saw Victoria wrap her arms around Severus. “You’re one of the only ones that is always there for me and I won’t let anyone hurt you in anyway, even if it is a friend.”
“You can’t protect me from everything Severus.” Victoria said as she rested her head on his shoulder.
“I can try.” Severus smirked. “That’s all I can do.” Viera smiled a little knowing how that must have been somewhat like torture to Victoria before she returned to her solitaire game.
“Thank you Sev but…” Victoria stopped mid-sentence, she couldn’t say what she wanted to. Viera looked at her, she knew what Victoria wanted to tell him. Victoria let go of Severus and gave him a light kiss on the lips. “I’m going to bed now.” Victoria said quietly as she stood up. Viera raised an eyebrow as she walked by to go to the dorm room. Severus was slightly confused at what just happened and as Viera turned to look back at him she could see that he was blushing a little.
“Someone’s blushing!” Viera said with a laugh as they heard the dorm room door close.
“Shut up! I am not!” Severus exclaimed.
“Defensive. You like her don’t you?”
“You can read minds you should already know if I do or not.”
“Well, you are a difficult person to read. Your Occlumency skills make you difficult.” All Severus could do was smirk. “But I don’t need to read your mind to see that you like Victoria. Especially after what just happened. Too bad she’s oblivious when guys actually like her… well the ones who are not asses.” Viera rolled her eyes. “Lucius,” She coughed. “Or then again… Do you only like Lily?”
“No comment.” Severus said as he stole the couch, Viera just glared at him waiting for an answer. “You can stare at me all you want. I’m not going to answer.”
“Aww, why not?”
“It’s nothing you really need to know!”
“Grumpy, grumpy… Fine, keep to yourself.”
“I plan to.” Severus retorted as he closed his eyes. Viera went back to her game once again and after she won she went to bed herself.