"Secretly" Part 4
Title: "Secretly"
Author: kismetologist
Chapter(s): 4
Category: Drama/Romance
Rating: PG-13 (for now)
Summary: Set post-war, Ginny has returned to finish her education at Hogwarts. Severus Snape has resumed his post as Potions Master, but can his students (one in particular) accept that he is not a cold blooded murderer?
4.
Ginny had not been surprised when Remus Lupin invited her to have a butterbeer with him in Hogsmeade on Friday. She and Remus had worked closely during the war. Ginny had assisted with the monthy supply of Wolfsbane needed for the three werewolves who came in and out of the camp, and had delivered Remus his supply when he needed it. The travel had been dangerous at times, and more than once returning to camp was impossible. She had spent many nights drinking firewhiskey ("You're not of age, but you need this as much as any old man like me.") and talking about anything but war with her former Professor. Ron had been convinced that something was going on, had ranted for days about how inappropriate, disgusting and oh-by-the-way illegal the whole thing was, until Ginny slugged him and told him it could never happen, seeing as how Lupin had a boyfriend. She had feared her brother may just literally eat crow, he looked so sheepish.
They met at their usual table at the Three Broomsticks. Lupin already had two butterbeers on the table. Lucky thing, since the bar was already two-deep with students in Hogsmeade for the start of the weekend.
"Hello, Remus. It's finally getting really cold out, isn't it?" Ginny untwisted her scarf and seated herself, undoing the clasps on her cloak.
"Indeed. Snow will come soon, I suspect. How are you, Ginny?"
"Lovely. Sorry I haven't stopped by after your class, I've been swamped."
"That's quite alright." Remus smiled and Ginny wished he were inclined towards the female persuasion for a brief moment. It wasn't that she had a crush on her friend. They had become like family. But no one could deny Remus Lupin's rugged attractiveness. Not even Ginny. He took a swig of butterbeer and said, "Though, I have heard you've been in a bit of trouble with Professor Snape. Two detentions in one week? That's not like you."
Ginny groaned, resting her forehead in her hand. "One and a half detentions, really. If you found this out from him I'm sure you know the details."
"No, actually, Headmistress MacGonnagal told me."
"Well, you can guess how I got myself into it."
"Temper, temper, Ginny." Remus clucked his tongue, "You always have a knack for getting yourself so worked up you can't even see what you're doing. Very much like Sirius."
Ginny noticed he didn't twinge when he said the name. It sent a feeling of relief to her heart. "It was my temper, and I was too nosy for my own good. Snape got a murmurer, I just couldn't resist trying to hear through his office door. I got caught."
"Oh, dear. I can imagine the fury. How was detention number two?"
Ginny shrugged, "The same. Cleaning tools. He wasn't there, though. He had a Slytherin prefect conduct it."
"Ginny, there's a certain reason I asked you to meet me here."
"Oh?" Ginny suddenly worried. She felt an icy fear grip her, so used to these sorts of conversations leading to some awful report on the war.
"As I said, the Headmistress told me what happened between you and Professor Snape. She asked me to talk with you, since she knows we're close."
"Remus, what's going on? Are you here to tell me to calm down around Snape? Because believe me, from now on in class I'll just--"
"Ginny. You signed up as a volunteer earlier in the year, do you remember?"
"I do. MacGonnagal said we could be asked to assist in projects related to post-war rebuilding."
Lupin shifted in his seat, "Well, something has come up. A project you're needed for."
"Oh?" Ginny perked up, "What is it?"
"A Potions development project. With Professor Snape."
Her face fell so fast, her muscles twitched. "What?"
"You aren't required to participate, Ginny. But know that you are the only student available who has the proper skills."
Ginny drained her butterbeer and wished she could get a firewhiskey in this bloody place.
**
The project was a huge undertaking. Severus was actually giving his second year classes to the Headmistress while it was being completed. Minerva had seemed rather glad to be taking on classes again--the new Transfiguration professor was also participating in a commission, so MacGonnagal was teaching her subject again as well.
There were several steps to the entire process: Research, gathering of ingredients, tests, finalized potions, and lastly training St. Mungo's staff to use the potions. It would all begin on November 1st, with research sessions taking place every evening after dinner, and on weekends. Minerva had told him that she arranged for outside help, since Severus was the only commissioned professor with only one student helper.
"Anyone I know?" He had asked sourly as they swept down the hall together, heading for the first Quidditch game of the season.
"A few." Minerva had replied, and Severus hated the smug tone in her voice. He had a feeling his "assistants" would not be old friends. As a matter of fact, he didn't have any old friends.
**
Ginny had played her first and last Quidditch game of the season, and Gryffindor had gotten completely squashed by Ravenclaw.
An hour after the game's end, she found herself sitting with Galina at the edge of the lake. It was nearly curfew, but they wanted to enjoy this last day of decent weather. It was cold, but not unpleasantly so. There were still orange leaves around, the trees not quite bare yet. They had a small magical fire--the kind kept in jar, a spell Ginny had learned from Hermione years ago. They were roasting marshmallows over it on the ends of their wands.
"Mum would throw a fit if she knew I was doing this with my wand." Ginny said. "But it's so useful. Sometimes a bit gets left on it and I can nibble a little bit when I'm bored in History of Magic."
Galina wrinkled her button nose. "That's disgusting."
Ginny shrugged, "I'm gross." She sighed, "Oh I'll miss Quidditch. It was my last year and everything."
"Why did you agree to help Professor Snape?"
"Oh, it's not helping him. It's helping the effort. I worked too hard these last two years to just stop helping. It became part of my life. I've missed being useful."
"You help me with English. That's useful."
Ginny giggled and nudged Galina with her elbow. "You're getting better at it that I am. This project is the only way I'll get an inside look. You know my family, Harry and Hermione can't tell me anything through owl post. I want to know what's being worked on. You know?"
"I know." Galina said. "I wish I had been able to work more, during the war. But I was much younger when it started. It wasn't close to us at first. I didn't have to do anything about it. But then it was even spreading to little villages East of here. As far East as Russia, to little towns like mine. We didn't have the...the..."
"Infrastructure?"
"What is?"
"Government."
"Yes. Infrastructure. Good word. We had none of that. Instead of working, I was running. You know the story."
"I do. " Ginny nodded, "You were very brave, G."
"I guess I am the opposite of you. I am glad I know nothing of war, or what's happening now. I like feeling safe and, what is it? Clueless."
"I don't blame you a bit." Ginny said, feeling a pang in her chest. Galina had lost half her family to Death Eaters--her muggle mother, two brothers, even her owl had gone missing during the massacre. Ginny sighed, pushing thoughts of the many casualties of the war out of her mind. She stood, closing up the jar. "C'mon, let's go inside before we get caught and I end up locked in the dungeon, serving detention for the rest of my life."
**
Halloween was quite an affair at Hogwarts that year. It was the first celebration of the holiday in so long, so MacGonnagal had decided to throw a ball. Ginny had been looking forward to it for weeks. She had spent half of her savings on a gown and mask for the ball. The gown was simple, jade green silk that fell to the floor. The neckline was off-the shoulder, the waist was dropped. A sash tied below her waist, and knotted on the side. The mask was a matching green, and covered her eyes with pointed bits on either side. It was covered in charmed gems which twinkled different shades of green ranging from deep forest, to emerald, to kelly. She loved the gown, and the matching cape. It was the first new piece of clothing she had bought since what should have been the beginning of her sixth year.
She had owled her brother and friends about a million times, asking if they were attending. She knew MacGonnagal had made the ball open-invitation to former students. However, Ginny hadn't received a reply from any of them. A slow depression was creeping in, but she shrugged it off for the sake of a good time the night of Halloween. She met Galina on the main staircase and girls linked arms. The blond was much more petite than Ginny could ever be with her long limbs and neck. The two made a striking pair, Ginny in her green and Galina in an off-white satin dress trimmed in black. Her satin mask was small and black, covering only her eyes, like a bandit. Red hair next to blond, Ginny's tied up and Galina's flowing around her shoulders. Heads turned when the two young women walked by, and Ginny felt a delicious sense of power. When fighting had been first priority, and survival was more important that love notes, she had missed having crushes. She had missed knowing that someone liked her. Of course, she had briefly flirted with a few young men working in the camps; had even had a purely physical relationship with one by the name of Jayson. But this was different. It was the kind of thing a young girl was supposed to do--dress up, feel pretty, tease boys, dance with friends, sneak firewhiskey behind statues, be young.
Ginny and Galina walked down the staircase with several other groups of students. Every student from every year had been invited to the ball, and Ginny thought the first years were just adorable. Could she have ever been that small? They reached the bottom of the steps and Ginny turned to Galina, "G, you look great. Ready to ask Jonathan Prewitt to dance, because--"
But Galina was looking over Ginny's shoulder, towards the entrance to the Hall. Ginny raised an eyebrow, "What is it?"
"Well don't look now," Galina said with a smile, "but there's someone over there I think you might like to see. I mean, I've only seen the pictures, but..."
Ginny turned around, and it only took a moment to pick out the mop of black hair, the glasses, the smile. She flew down the last three steps, flinging her arms around the tall man who had already flung out his arms for her. "Harry!"
"Hullo, Ginny." He said into her ear. "Surprised to see me?"
"Surprised? I'm--" Ginny backed away, her face going from absolute rapture to irritation in a split second. She smacked his shoulder.
"Ow."
"You haven't written me in over a month you utter prat. I can't believe you! You know I've been writing and writing and checking the post every morning. What has been going on? What's the matter with you, you...you..."
"Oh don't be so hard on him, Gin." Ron's voice came from behind her. "It's not his fault."
Ginny whirled around to find her brother, Hermione on his arm. She looked equally irate at him for a moment, then melted into a smile. "Oh, Ron."
She hugged him first, Hermione second. She turned around and hugged Harry again. Over his shoulder, she caught sight of Snape. He hadn't worn a mask, of course, the joyless bastard. What Ginny found most peculiar was that he was looking straight at them. When he usually saw Harry Potter, the look on his face was one of barely restrained disgust. This time, it was something completely unidentifiable. Ginny puzzled over him until the Professor caught her eye. He scowled and walked away.
Ginny shrugged it off, grabbed Harry by the elbow, and led the trio over to meet Galina.
Author: kismetologist
Chapter(s): 4
Category: Drama/Romance
Rating: PG-13 (for now)
Summary: Set post-war, Ginny has returned to finish her education at Hogwarts. Severus Snape has resumed his post as Potions Master, but can his students (one in particular) accept that he is not a cold blooded murderer?
4.
Ginny had not been surprised when Remus Lupin invited her to have a butterbeer with him in Hogsmeade on Friday. She and Remus had worked closely during the war. Ginny had assisted with the monthy supply of Wolfsbane needed for the three werewolves who came in and out of the camp, and had delivered Remus his supply when he needed it. The travel had been dangerous at times, and more than once returning to camp was impossible. She had spent many nights drinking firewhiskey ("You're not of age, but you need this as much as any old man like me.") and talking about anything but war with her former Professor. Ron had been convinced that something was going on, had ranted for days about how inappropriate, disgusting and oh-by-the-way illegal the whole thing was, until Ginny slugged him and told him it could never happen, seeing as how Lupin had a boyfriend. She had feared her brother may just literally eat crow, he looked so sheepish.
They met at their usual table at the Three Broomsticks. Lupin already had two butterbeers on the table. Lucky thing, since the bar was already two-deep with students in Hogsmeade for the start of the weekend.
"Hello, Remus. It's finally getting really cold out, isn't it?" Ginny untwisted her scarf and seated herself, undoing the clasps on her cloak.
"Indeed. Snow will come soon, I suspect. How are you, Ginny?"
"Lovely. Sorry I haven't stopped by after your class, I've been swamped."
"That's quite alright." Remus smiled and Ginny wished he were inclined towards the female persuasion for a brief moment. It wasn't that she had a crush on her friend. They had become like family. But no one could deny Remus Lupin's rugged attractiveness. Not even Ginny. He took a swig of butterbeer and said, "Though, I have heard you've been in a bit of trouble with Professor Snape. Two detentions in one week? That's not like you."
Ginny groaned, resting her forehead in her hand. "One and a half detentions, really. If you found this out from him I'm sure you know the details."
"No, actually, Headmistress MacGonnagal told me."
"Well, you can guess how I got myself into it."
"Temper, temper, Ginny." Remus clucked his tongue, "You always have a knack for getting yourself so worked up you can't even see what you're doing. Very much like Sirius."
Ginny noticed he didn't twinge when he said the name. It sent a feeling of relief to her heart. "It was my temper, and I was too nosy for my own good. Snape got a murmurer, I just couldn't resist trying to hear through his office door. I got caught."
"Oh, dear. I can imagine the fury. How was detention number two?"
Ginny shrugged, "The same. Cleaning tools. He wasn't there, though. He had a Slytherin prefect conduct it."
"Ginny, there's a certain reason I asked you to meet me here."
"Oh?" Ginny suddenly worried. She felt an icy fear grip her, so used to these sorts of conversations leading to some awful report on the war.
"As I said, the Headmistress told me what happened between you and Professor Snape. She asked me to talk with you, since she knows we're close."
"Remus, what's going on? Are you here to tell me to calm down around Snape? Because believe me, from now on in class I'll just--"
"Ginny. You signed up as a volunteer earlier in the year, do you remember?"
"I do. MacGonnagal said we could be asked to assist in projects related to post-war rebuilding."
Lupin shifted in his seat, "Well, something has come up. A project you're needed for."
"Oh?" Ginny perked up, "What is it?"
"A Potions development project. With Professor Snape."
Her face fell so fast, her muscles twitched. "What?"
"You aren't required to participate, Ginny. But know that you are the only student available who has the proper skills."
Ginny drained her butterbeer and wished she could get a firewhiskey in this bloody place.
**
The project was a huge undertaking. Severus was actually giving his second year classes to the Headmistress while it was being completed. Minerva had seemed rather glad to be taking on classes again--the new Transfiguration professor was also participating in a commission, so MacGonnagal was teaching her subject again as well.
There were several steps to the entire process: Research, gathering of ingredients, tests, finalized potions, and lastly training St. Mungo's staff to use the potions. It would all begin on November 1st, with research sessions taking place every evening after dinner, and on weekends. Minerva had told him that she arranged for outside help, since Severus was the only commissioned professor with only one student helper.
"Anyone I know?" He had asked sourly as they swept down the hall together, heading for the first Quidditch game of the season.
"A few." Minerva had replied, and Severus hated the smug tone in her voice. He had a feeling his "assistants" would not be old friends. As a matter of fact, he didn't have any old friends.
**
Ginny had played her first and last Quidditch game of the season, and Gryffindor had gotten completely squashed by Ravenclaw.
An hour after the game's end, she found herself sitting with Galina at the edge of the lake. It was nearly curfew, but they wanted to enjoy this last day of decent weather. It was cold, but not unpleasantly so. There were still orange leaves around, the trees not quite bare yet. They had a small magical fire--the kind kept in jar, a spell Ginny had learned from Hermione years ago. They were roasting marshmallows over it on the ends of their wands.
"Mum would throw a fit if she knew I was doing this with my wand." Ginny said. "But it's so useful. Sometimes a bit gets left on it and I can nibble a little bit when I'm bored in History of Magic."
Galina wrinkled her button nose. "That's disgusting."
Ginny shrugged, "I'm gross." She sighed, "Oh I'll miss Quidditch. It was my last year and everything."
"Why did you agree to help Professor Snape?"
"Oh, it's not helping him. It's helping the effort. I worked too hard these last two years to just stop helping. It became part of my life. I've missed being useful."
"You help me with English. That's useful."
Ginny giggled and nudged Galina with her elbow. "You're getting better at it that I am. This project is the only way I'll get an inside look. You know my family, Harry and Hermione can't tell me anything through owl post. I want to know what's being worked on. You know?"
"I know." Galina said. "I wish I had been able to work more, during the war. But I was much younger when it started. It wasn't close to us at first. I didn't have to do anything about it. But then it was even spreading to little villages East of here. As far East as Russia, to little towns like mine. We didn't have the...the..."
"Infrastructure?"
"What is?"
"Government."
"Yes. Infrastructure. Good word. We had none of that. Instead of working, I was running. You know the story."
"I do. " Ginny nodded, "You were very brave, G."
"I guess I am the opposite of you. I am glad I know nothing of war, or what's happening now. I like feeling safe and, what is it? Clueless."
"I don't blame you a bit." Ginny said, feeling a pang in her chest. Galina had lost half her family to Death Eaters--her muggle mother, two brothers, even her owl had gone missing during the massacre. Ginny sighed, pushing thoughts of the many casualties of the war out of her mind. She stood, closing up the jar. "C'mon, let's go inside before we get caught and I end up locked in the dungeon, serving detention for the rest of my life."
**
Halloween was quite an affair at Hogwarts that year. It was the first celebration of the holiday in so long, so MacGonnagal had decided to throw a ball. Ginny had been looking forward to it for weeks. She had spent half of her savings on a gown and mask for the ball. The gown was simple, jade green silk that fell to the floor. The neckline was off-the shoulder, the waist was dropped. A sash tied below her waist, and knotted on the side. The mask was a matching green, and covered her eyes with pointed bits on either side. It was covered in charmed gems which twinkled different shades of green ranging from deep forest, to emerald, to kelly. She loved the gown, and the matching cape. It was the first new piece of clothing she had bought since what should have been the beginning of her sixth year.
She had owled her brother and friends about a million times, asking if they were attending. She knew MacGonnagal had made the ball open-invitation to former students. However, Ginny hadn't received a reply from any of them. A slow depression was creeping in, but she shrugged it off for the sake of a good time the night of Halloween. She met Galina on the main staircase and girls linked arms. The blond was much more petite than Ginny could ever be with her long limbs and neck. The two made a striking pair, Ginny in her green and Galina in an off-white satin dress trimmed in black. Her satin mask was small and black, covering only her eyes, like a bandit. Red hair next to blond, Ginny's tied up and Galina's flowing around her shoulders. Heads turned when the two young women walked by, and Ginny felt a delicious sense of power. When fighting had been first priority, and survival was more important that love notes, she had missed having crushes. She had missed knowing that someone liked her. Of course, she had briefly flirted with a few young men working in the camps; had even had a purely physical relationship with one by the name of Jayson. But this was different. It was the kind of thing a young girl was supposed to do--dress up, feel pretty, tease boys, dance with friends, sneak firewhiskey behind statues, be young.
Ginny and Galina walked down the staircase with several other groups of students. Every student from every year had been invited to the ball, and Ginny thought the first years were just adorable. Could she have ever been that small? They reached the bottom of the steps and Ginny turned to Galina, "G, you look great. Ready to ask Jonathan Prewitt to dance, because--"
But Galina was looking over Ginny's shoulder, towards the entrance to the Hall. Ginny raised an eyebrow, "What is it?"
"Well don't look now," Galina said with a smile, "but there's someone over there I think you might like to see. I mean, I've only seen the pictures, but..."
Ginny turned around, and it only took a moment to pick out the mop of black hair, the glasses, the smile. She flew down the last three steps, flinging her arms around the tall man who had already flung out his arms for her. "Harry!"
"Hullo, Ginny." He said into her ear. "Surprised to see me?"
"Surprised? I'm--" Ginny backed away, her face going from absolute rapture to irritation in a split second. She smacked his shoulder.
"Ow."
"You haven't written me in over a month you utter prat. I can't believe you! You know I've been writing and writing and checking the post every morning. What has been going on? What's the matter with you, you...you..."
"Oh don't be so hard on him, Gin." Ron's voice came from behind her. "It's not his fault."
Ginny whirled around to find her brother, Hermione on his arm. She looked equally irate at him for a moment, then melted into a smile. "Oh, Ron."
She hugged him first, Hermione second. She turned around and hugged Harry again. Over his shoulder, she caught sight of Snape. He hadn't worn a mask, of course, the joyless bastard. What Ginny found most peculiar was that he was looking straight at them. When he usually saw Harry Potter, the look on his face was one of barely restrained disgust. This time, it was something completely unidentifiable. Ginny puzzled over him until the Professor caught her eye. He scowled and walked away.
Ginny shrugged it off, grabbed Harry by the elbow, and led the trio over to meet Galina.