Meanwhile, deep in the dungeons sat an equally sleepless potion professor and corrected essays from third-year students. An irritated groan escaped him and he laid down his quill to take a patrol even though it was not his turn on this particular evening. Snape ran into McGonnagall in one of the corridors and thought to ignore her when she looked at him and said.
- Good evening, Severus, what are you doing out walking now? You do not have patrol tonight.
Snape nodded and began to explain himself.
- I know what I should and should not do but for your information, Minerva, I could not get any sleep.
The older woman looked at her colleague and said after a while with cautious words.
- Aha, as usual then Severus, you should take a potion so you get to sleep in these kinds of cases. Albus has told you to rest for a week and Poppy could certainly give you something from her store if you can not provide it yourself ...
Snape sighed and interrupted the professor.
- I will not be dependent on any magic potion. And Albus idea that I rest me is absurd, you know that very well, Minerva.
After a long while Elisabeth had come up out of the dungeon and wondered how long she would have to walk more before she would feel the fatigue. Just when she would turn into another corridor, she heard two familiar voices and she pressed herself rapidly against the wall to hide and listened to the conversation. She stood silent for what seemed like an eternity while she listened to the voices of Professor McGonnagall and Professor Snape.
I wonder what they're doing out there at night, in addition to looking after pupils to roam after bedtime, she thought to herself and shook a little of the cold that swept past in the hallway. Completely unprepared, she took a deep breath and patched her mouth with both hands. She could hear the muffled sound of Professor Snapes voice almost immediately.
- Did you hear that? It seems that someone is looking after bedtime. Deduction of points, just what I need to become a better mood after this conversation with Minerva! he thought, and smiled slyly but unnoticeable.
McGonnagall listened for a moment and shrugged his little shoulders.
- No, I heard nothing Severus. It was probably just Argus cat in that case. The woman waved a little with the wand and muttered a bit low Tempus and sighed slightly. Yes you may have a continuing pleasant evening, Severus, I'll take me back to my room now. Hope you at least get to the breakfast.
And with that she was gone, headed the same direction where Elisabeth was standing with a pounding heart and hands to mouth in the shadows of the corridor that gave the female professor a gaze as she passed her unnoticed. She sighed silently with relief when the professor disappeared and went out from his hiding place.
She stretched herself a little and gave a glance around his surroundings, but could not see Professor Snape anywhere until she heard a man's voice.
- Is there anyone there?
The professor looked around and Elisabeth had just enough time to back backwards when she heard him. She pulled back so quickly that she happened to look up hard against one of the stone pillars. She put her hand on the shoulder and bit down hard to not make any sound. She waited a long time until she could not hear him anymore. Has he gone? she wondered to herself and looked after. The shaft ached painfully as she looked into the other corridor. The professor stood and suddenly he took convulsively about stomach pain and appeared to be close to screaming. She did not care about anything when she saw him in pain and stood firmly, took some quick and deep breaths until it looked like she ran before she ran out into the corridor to him.
- Professor, what's the matter, she asked breathlessly and put her hand gently on his shoulder. Only when he answered was heard only a murmur and Elisabeth was forced to bend forward to hear.
- Giant stomach ache from last week only ... Nothing to worry about, Ms Ó Kerrigan. He replied low.
She examined him while she wondered if she could do anything to help him. Suddenly she had an idea. With the wand firmly in her hand she moistened her lips.
- Can you stand, she asked, thinking of the spell. He nodded in response and stood up gently with his hand still on his stomach.
- Okay, we test one time, she said a little uncertain as she pointed the wand at him and tried to concentrate a second before she said.
- Alleviare il dolore addominale.
Nothing happened and the professor looked at her in surprise. What is she doing anything really? he thought, and watched as she swore to herself.
- Okay, I do not know what the spell will have for an effect on you, but it will help if I can just concentrate ... I just need something to focus on. She said after a minute, which made him sigh.
What kind of spell, he thought, looking at the young woman.
Elisabeth didn't find anything tot focus on so she looked the professor in the eyes and felt it was easier to concentrate.
- Okay, then we try again then ... She pointed the wand at him again and took a deep breath. Alleviare il dolore addominale.
This time it worked and she smiled somewhat. Unfortunately, she did not know how he would react to her spell. Hopefully in a good way. Snape looked at her and sighed.
- Ms Ó Kerrigan, I do not know what it is you are trying to help me with. But whatever it is it seems to not happen ... He began, but was interrupted suddenly by himself when it started to tickle all over his body. Instead of scratching, he began to laugh so much that he fell to the ground and writhed in his laughter.
When will it end, he thought to himself.
Elisabeth looked astonished while the professor, instead of screaming in pain, or the like, laughed!
This new feature which the spell showed made her smile. A small laugh escaped her as well to see the professor laugh.
Elisabeth made a mental note that she would write down the spell's effect later. While the joy rushed inside her, she began to count to ten, which was one of the formula's operation.
- Finite incatateum! She said in a quiet but high-pitched voice when she arrived at ten in his behalf before she hid her wand in the back pocket of her Muggle pants. She was so happy that she could help him.
- How does it feel now? she asked the professor who had fallen on the floor of his laughter.
He got up from the floor and looked at her with surprise in his eyes.
- Better. But how? I did not recognize the spell. He replied and examined her carefully.
Elisabeth smiled and laughed a little.
- It's not surprising that you do not recognize it ... for it is one of my own spells. She replied.
The professor looked at her a long time before he said.
- But it is only in the seventh year you learn how to make your own spells.
Elisabeth response this time was a simple shrug of the shoulders.
- My uncle taught me two years ago ... He liked that I learned something on Professor Flitwiks spell lessons.
Snape thought about what she said and nodded a little, it sounded quite logical.
- He felt certain that one learns too slowly. Did he and Elisabeth coughed a little.
- That's what he told me anyway.
He nodded again, then said.
- Yes. But you really took a risk when you went out of your student home so late at night. Professor McGonnagall could have seen you.
Fuck! She thought and bit her lip.
- I thought if I took a walk in the hallways maybe I could sleep, but it does not seem to work.
Snape looked at her with a small glance before he said.
- No, you're not alone. I can't, unfortunately, sleep either.
Elisabeth put her hands in her pockets and shrugged.
- I maybe should go back to my room, then, before you decide to take points from Slytherin or give me detention. She said but stood still.
The professor shook his head and replied, her words.
- No, Ms Ó Kerrigan, you'll get either detention or deduction of points tonight. Why would I give you something like that after you helped me? Moreover, I am not in the mood right now.
Elisabeth looked at him in surprise and put his head a little to one side.
- But you are a teacher, and one of the school's strikest for that part to, it's what you do with us students who are out after bedtime.
Suddenly she felt her own pain arose in the shoulder as she accidentally hit the stone wall that she had been hiding behind not so long ago and she fell to her knees. She did not yell, so instead she bit clenching as hard as she could.
The professor helped her to her feet quickly and looked around before he took her to his stock.
Once there, he let go of her to open the door and went up the ladder when he entered. He searched among the bottles and quickly found what he was looking for, stepped down and handed the bottle to her.
- Here. Drink, it will help the pain.
Elisabeth was breathing heavily from the pain that radiated from her shoulder and took the bottle with a trembling hand and drank the contents.
After a moment she let go of her shoulder as she kept a tight hold on when the pain was gone and her breathing became calmer and switched to a normal rhythm.
She closed her eyes for a moment, feeling the pain disappeared.
- Thank you. She said, looking at him.
She got a nod in reply before he surprised her again by calmly put his hand on her other shoulder.
- What did really happened? he asked as he examined her closely.
Elisabeth felt a quick shiver went all along the spine when his hand made contact with her shoulder.
She moved her shoulder once little bit quick and shook her head as if she did not really know.
- I, hit it the other day when I was out.
Lie.
She hated lying to teachers, especially for a head of a house and her own mentor, but she could not let him know that she'd stood and eavesdropping on his and Professor McGonnagalls chat.
Snapes eyes blinked and he said with a calm voice.
- You eavesdropping on me and McGonnagall before, right?
For a second, a second too late, she realized that he learned the truth with leglimence on her. She wanted to scream but did not, instead she defended herself.
- No, I did not ... how can you believe such a thing. She looked at him for a minute, trying to form words until she gave up and sighed. All right. Yeah, I was eavesdropping ... but it was not the intention!
The professor nodded small.
- Why do you choose to lie about such a thing? Oh well, it was still nothing secret that we talked about in any case. He said just as calmly and Elisabeth drew her hands irritated through her hair and shrugged.
- I do not know ... it's something I've done ever since I was eight ... because people do not know things about me, especially after what happened before I started using it. She replied.
The professor crossed his arms, leaning against the castle wall.
- It must have happened something terrible then, considering who your father is. Which is also understandable.
Elisabeth sat quietly with her arms around herself now and felt tears burning in her eyes and she quietly began to weep.
Snape just looked at her and said.
- I apologize if I said anything wrong.
Elisabeth shook his head and calmed down as best she could.
- Oh no ... there is nothing you said. She wiped away the tears and put again her arms around herself. I am the daughter of two Death Eaters, and with that comes some consequences of not behaving according to their ... rules.
So when I was eight, curious as I am to my nature, I sought me out to my father's library. I never got to go in there for him and could not help in the end.
There was nothing special about his library, I thought, more than all of those books in which he collected on information about all the world's dark magic. This I found out later in life.
But when he finally found out that I had gone in there myself, without his permission and without, according to him, something to protect myself with, I was punished ...
She was silent for a moment. The professor still stood with his arms crossed.
- I'm sorry for your sake. He said and looked at her. You do not need to tell about it if you do not want to.
Elisabeth just shook her head and looked at him.
- You are my mentor ... really this is such things that you should know about me ...
He relapsed into silence. Elizabeth hesitated before she continued.
- When I was punished by my father ....
- Please, Ms. Ó kerrigan, you do not ... he interrupted her quickly. Elisabeth shook her head again.
- Yes, I do ... She said quietly, and fell silent. When my father punished me, he was not merciful to me. My father really loves black magic, professor ... more than he loves his family. So when he came to me, he took me to the basement where he, how can I say it without getting it to sound too realistic and nasty, cuffed my hands and feet that stretched out the body in the same position as the Vitruvian Man, a work of the architecture muggle universal genie Leonardo Da Vinci, if you heard of him?
Snape stood silent and listened. Certainly he had heard of the Italian muggle, he had made a couple of stunning works. Both art and science operations.
Elisabeth took his silence as permission to continue.
- In all cases, when you are so exposed, perhaps not spiritually, but physically so that you can not follow the natural capacity to protect yourself, I sin my crimes. My father allowed me to endure some terrible things.
Black magic alone, however, but still some terrible things.
She paused briefly before she was writhing so much that she had her back to him, pulled out her hair and lifted so on his clothes that he could see her from shoulder to waist-length scar that bared her pale back.
When the professor heard everything and seen her back, he was surprised with his arms on either side of him.
Elisabeth finally pulled down their cadre and turned and looked at him.
- I thought that the headmaster had said just about everything, except what I told them. He said in any case he would do it.
The professor looked at her and then shook his head as he pulled himself together after her story.
- Why would he tell such things to me? Admittedly, I'm your mentor and he trusts me, but still.
Elisabeth shrugged.
- I do not know. That said, he said he would tell you. Would make it easier for both of us, what an now you mean by that.
Snape looked at her and said with a shrug.
- For us, what? Maybe you should ask the headmaster a little more about it.
Elisabeth nodded and thought for a moment.
- Maybe, but I still do not understand why he said so ... if not, it would be ridiculous! She said, blushing somewhat.
- If not? Asked the professor. Say what you would say.
She sat up a little and looked at the floor thoughtfully with his hands clasped in front of her face.
- No, that's ridiculous even for me.
Snape did not understand her and said, frustrated.
-You have to go up to the office and demand that he clarify what he meant. It is a must if you are a headmaster!
Elisabeth looked at him and replied.
- Not now!? It's damn middle of the night!
The professor sighed heavily and put his face in his hand for a moment before he looked at her again.
- I know that. But in the morning, go straight to him after breakfast.
She nodded, and was silent.
- Thank you ... She said after a long moment and nodded towards the bottle as to show what she meant. The professor just nodded in response, as he always used to.
- It was nothing. He replied and his unnoticeable smile appeared again. He cleared his throat quickly after and straightened her robe a little fast. But you really should go and sleep for a few hours now. Or try at least.
She stood up carefully in case she would be bewildering to have stood up too fast.
- You're probably right. She said and stood still for a minute, hesitating before she took a step towards him and gave him a kiss on the cheek and walked away quickly. Elizabeth's cheeks tinged with a faint flush until she was in the dormitory and had crawled into bed and fell asleep.
Snape, however who hadn't seen it coming, hold his surprise from his student and without a word, he went back to his bed and the strength to change either magical or not, had disappeared. He fell asleep as soon as he reached the bed and his head fell back on his pillow.
The day after Elisabeth ate breakfast in the great hall and went straight after to the headmasters office. She knocked on the door when she got past the Gargoyle and stairs. After a while she went inside and saw rhetorician sit behind his desk.
- Excuse me, headmaster, but could I talk to you? She asked, and went into his office altogether.
- Of course, little girl. He said, gesturing with his hand against one of the chairs that were before him.
She sat on one of the chairs and sat quietly for a moment. When she would say something interrupted the headmaster her.
- You wonder why I said I would mention your family's tragic event for Professor Snape, right?! He asked and Elisabeth was shocked, how could he know? Elisabeth nodded and continued to listen to him.
- Severus, have lost so much during his childhood and some things he's never really gotten. He looked at her with a look that captured one. The same applies to you, Ms. Ó Kerrigan. And since you are so similar in personality, now, do not interrupt me, where was I ... Yes, exactly. Since you are so similar and been through similar things, I find two nice people like you two should get to be happy and they are what I hope that you will become.
Elisabeth sat and just looked at the headmaster. She understood nothing and gave him a questioning look.
- Ah, I see that I have confused you. Well then, we take this right to the chase ... He said and Elisabeth nodded a little before the headmaster continued. Yes, I said I would tell Severus about your little problem and no I have not done it on purpose. And finally they brought you here to find out ... Yes, Ms. Ó Kerrigan, I am trying to match up you!
The headmaster smiled when he had finished talking and looked at Elisabeth, who while trying to take in everything he just said.
- I do not understand ... how ..
- How do I know that it might be possible? How do I know that there's a little spark between you, that none of you may have seen before?
She nodded in response.
- I have no idea, but now if you'll excuse me, Ms. Ó Kerrigan, I have an important meeting with the Ministry.
And with that said headmaster goodbye and Elisabeth walked away, confused and surprised but more shocked. It was like she had imagined!
Elisabeth had missed her first lesson for the day because of her meeting with the headmaster and decided to clear her thoughts a little.
She could not believe it! The headmaster had tried to match her together and the professor. She did not know what she should think about the whole situation and thought that maybe she was in love? In the professor.
When she had come out and was just a few feet away from the door, she saw him.
I should tell him ... She thought, biting her lip before she turned her steps to the tree where the professor sat, deep in his thoughts.
Snape sighed and scratched his head while his thoughts were buzzing in his head.
He thought of the dream that had plagued him the previous night. It was always the same dream, or at least most of those times. The father, who shouted at him that he was never at home.
Elizabeth changed her mind when she walked past him and turned around. She sat away from him as if she had not noticed him and took out one of her books and pretended to read it.
Snape knew someone sat quite close and saw ms Ó Kerrigan who sat some distance in front of him. He looked at her without a word and examined her in reading, probably levied her attention.
But Elizabeth was well aware of his gaze on her and looked up as if she were waiting for someone to come and she looked past the professor.
- Oh, Professor Snape, I did not see you. She said and closed her book. I've just been to the headmaster's office.
The professor continued to look at her and said.
- And what did he say?
Elisabeth looked around while she took out his wand and cast the Muffliato spell over them. She put away the wand and looked at him.
- He told me straight out that he tried to match us together. She replied to his question without averting his gaze for.
Professor's eyes flashed a little and Elisabeth felt a shiver went through on her back before he shook his head.
- The headmaster is hard to understand sometimes. He said and continued to look at her. Why did he try to match us?
Elisabeth shrugged.
- He said that we were like each other, we have been through similar life events, and he thought we were "two fine people" ought to be happy. Why he chose just the two of us I do not know. He did not tell.
Snape sighed and thought for a minute before he nodded small.
- Yes, he may be right. He said, stroking his cheek with one hand in a thoughtful gesture. I have not had it easy, though I'll be honest with you. But you're probably the one who has had the most difficult of the two of us, given what you showed me yesterday.
That scar that she had shown him was not a pretty sight. Especially at such a young girl like her.
Just knowing that it had been carried out with black magic, and a death eater, made him feel sorry for the girl.
Elisabeth herself sat quietly with her hand over her shoulder when he mentioned her scars. Suddenly a night black raven came flying at them and released a letter in her lap without landing and getting a reward.
She looked after the raven, and took up the letter as she began to read. That raven had been too familiar to her.
Snape's curiosity drew the letter but said nothing. He did not interfere in the private lives of others.
When Elisabeth had finished reading the letter, she sat quietly and felt all her color in her face disappeared as she became almost deathly pale as the Bloody Baron. She dropped the letter and fell to the ground on her knees.
- I'm doomed ... She said with a trembling whisper, and hid her face in her hands. Snape just looked at her.
- Doomed? He asked simply scolded his curiosity.
Elisabeth let out a sob as the tears threatened to come.
- The letter is from my ... my uncle ... She picked up the letter and read a little bit of the content aloud to him. Dear Niece, you will within the next month get to be part of the family's long history, it has been determined by himself, the Dark Lord along with your family. You should take the dark mark, to honor your father. Regards David Ó Kerrigan, your uncle.
She looked at the professor and felt the fear took hold of her.
Snape looked at her and shook his head again.
- He must be found. He said seriously. He will be sent Azkaban. He can not force you to take the mark. Professor glanced towards his own arm and sighed heavily.
Elisabeth put her face in her hands again and continued to sob in silence.
- I do not know what to do. She said and dried quickly the first tears that came. I just feel so scared ...
- You need to talk to Albus about this. He needs to know. Was the professor's only response.
But Elizabeth was not listening. She shook her head and said.
- I can not ... My uncle will find out and then I am really doomed. She felt alone and abandoned. It feels as if nobody in the world can protect me from this ... She said and huddled with her arms around herself.
- You must tell, Ms. Ó Kerrigan, you can not take the mark. He said and sighed again. Do not make the same mistake as another one did at one time.
Elisabeth looked a little at him.
- How? She asked and hugged herself a little harder. As I said, my uncle will know and then he will try to get me ... And if he would then I will probably not be back here I tell you.
The professor shook his head a little.
- He may not know that you have told, think a little ms Ó Kerrigan! He will only know that the letter ended up in the wrong hands.
Elisabeth took both her hands through her hair.
- I'm afraid. She said quietly and just wanted someone to embrace and give her protection.
Snape saw what reaction the letter had on his student and looked around before he sat closer to her, put a few protection spells on them and with a wavering conscience held her.
Elisabeth hitched herself a little bit but relaxed after a few minutes when she felt his arms around him.
She could not resist, and leaned against him and closed her eyes.
Snape's thoughts roared in his head properly now. He could not tell her that he had the mark.
How would she take it? Or did she already know?
They both sat in silence for a long moment, and without a single movement or glance at him, said Elisabeth with an almost whispering voice.
- It was you who took the mark before, right? She asked as if she did not care, which she did not really. She tried to meet his gaze.
Snape did not look at her but nodded with a third sigh.
- Yes, I was only eighteen then. I took the mark because I wanted power. He explained and looked a little at her before he looked away again. But I only got problems.
Elisabeth just sat there in his arms in silence. Eighteen year, he had only been a year older than she were when he took the mark.
- I do not hate you, if that's what you think, for what you did. She said quietly after a moment.
He looked at her in the end and said.
- I regret it terribly much after I revealed a prophecy for the Dark Lord. This led to a family death.
Elizabeth closed her eyes and she could almost hear his heartbeat.
- The Potter's. She simply said and got a nod in response.
- Yes, it was Potter's parents.
She allowed herself to sit a little bit closer to him and leaned more into his arms.
- What if my uncle finds out about it? What if he gets to me ... She dared not say more.
The professor looked at her and shook his head.
- He will not find out anything. But Albus has to know.
She shook her head.
- I ... I ... can not ... She sobbed out when the tears came again. She hid her face in his shoulder.
Snape grabbed her shoulders and pulled her away from him so he could look her in the eyes and shook his head.
- Don't do it then, but then you take the mark whether you like it or not. Can't you trust that he may not know?
Elisabeth looked at him for a long moment while tears ran silently down her cheeks and she wiped away the tears again.
- You have a strange way of persuading people, you know. She pulled gently out of his arms and hid her face in his shoulder again.
- What?
She sat up and left his arms.
- I'll tell the headmaster about the letter, but I would like if you came with.
He nodded in response.
- I'll go with. I promise you.
- Thank you. She whispered and leaned against him again. He nodded again absent as he looked down at his legs, and thought again of his father that always shouted at him in his dreams.
There was silence between them for a while longer and Elisabeth cleared her throat before she took a grip of her courage.
- What you said a few days ago, back at the gates ... what did you mean by that? She asked finally.
- What? That's what happened to Mr. Filch's between you and me? Elisabeth shook her small head.
- No, or it was not exactly what you said. She sighed quietly. When you confronted me about my flute did you do something, but you changed your mind directly ... I just want to know what it was you were doing.
Snape scratched his neck and looked away quickly before he sighed and looked at her.
- I was going to ... kiss you ... He replied to her question and looked away.
Elisabeth looked at him in surprise and the could not tear her eyes away this time.
- You were going to ... kiss ... me? She asked and examined him.
Snape looked at her and closed his eyes.
- Yes, and yesterday when you kissed me on the cheek ... I did not know what I would do. He said, clenching his hands. I did not even tell anything. He grinned with a shake of the head. What am I doing? I'm not at all like this. Elisabeth looked at him and put her hand over one of his fists.
- I ... I like it. She simply asked and looked at him with a slight blush.
The professor looked at her and tried to understand her. She could not be honest.
- Really? He asked, expecting a laugh from her and a no, but Elisabeth just nodded small.
He was struck dumb with amazement, and looked around again. He looked at her and took a deep breath.
It can not be true!? She's just trying to make a fool of me! But her eyes ... He thought, and she looked down quickly before she looked at him straight in the eyes.
Snape took it as an invitation to her thoughts, and he focused on her eyes before he used leglimency on her.
What he saw in her thoughts, her feelings, honesty. Everything hit him at once. After reviewing her memories, he withdrew and with little panting breaths, he looked at her with a questioning look.
Elisabeth blushed stronger than she did before, and looked at him.
It is true, after all. She tries not to make a fool of me! His thoughts were at war with each other, but he looked at her and something happened. Failed to explain, but something happened.
He took her small hands in his, and with a deep breath as he let out a long sigh, he looked at her.
- Ms Ó Kerrigan ... He began but stopped the words and shook his head a little. Elisabeth, I ... He was silent again, and hesitated.
Elisabeth swallowed hard and shuddered when he said her name. She looked down at their hands and felt the warmth from him.
- Yes? She asked, looking at him with her heterochromia eyes.
He swallowed hard and Elisabeth could feel his hands shaking small. She hugged them a little and smiled somewhat against him.
Snape looked at her and took a deep breath.
- Elisabeth, I love you. He said at last.
Elisabeth looked at him and her heart stopped and she just sat there and did not know how she would react.
- Do you mean that ...? She asked after a very long time, and Snape looked questioningly at her.
- What? That I love you?
Elisabeth nodded with out a sound. The professor nodded and he said.
- Of course I mean it. I would never lie about such a thing. Elisabeth smiled softly and closed her eyes. She had only had one and a half hours of sleep during the night after their meeting in the hallway. Snape put his arms around her again and continued to hold her while his hands were shaking somewhat, partly because he just revealed something very secret from him and the thoughts of his father. She felt him shaking and with a shaky sigh, she shifted a little in his arms so that she could take his hands in hers.
Elisabeth did not ask why he was shaking, there was nothing she could do, ask about someone's private.
A tear fell from Snape's face when he looked down in silence, and she just looked him.
She did not know what he had been through, but she understood that it pained him, just as it did with her.
- What is it? She asked softly at the end and wondered if maybe she would have just been quiet.
He sat still but answered her.
- It's my father ... He began quietly. I dream of him every night. He screams and hits me because I was a magician and he hated wizards.
Elisabeth was silent, and the same with him. Time passed and Elisabeth thought about her lessons. She should go away on her remaining lessons, but she could not go just yet, she felt.
- How's it like to take the mark ...? She asked after a few seconds and hesitated over whether she really wanted to know the answer.
Snape looked at her finally and sighed before he nodded slowly.
- It hurts. He said and thought back to when he took the mark. I passed through in an hour if I remember correctly.
Elisabeth, she sighed herself and stood up shortly after he told her and walked back and forth a little.
- I can not sit and just let time go away. She took her things and turned to face him. I feel much better if I can do something about ... She squinted against the letter which lay untouched on the ground. About my uncle ... She gave him her hand. Do you gonna come with?
He looked up at her and took her hand.
- Where are we going? He asked, and was surprised by her sudden turnaround humors.
- I'm going to tell the headmaster. She looked at her little pocket watch which she had with her and put it back in its hiding place. He'll be back from the Ministry at this time I think ... My aunt works there and would be included in the meeting today. She explained.
- Yes I accompanies, as I have promised.
While they walked Elisabeth felt how the panic began, with slow speed, to take hold of her and she began to shake.
She took deep breaths in an attempt to calm her leaping heart. Before she knew it they stood in front of the headmaster in his office.
Snape gave her a glance before the headmaster took to speak.
- Severus, what reason do I get the pleasure of your visit? The headmaster did not seem to see Elisabeth or he did it, but she waited until further notice.
- Ms Ó Kerrigan got a problem, Albus.
Elisabeth took a deep breath and explained.
- Headmaster, my uncle sent me this today ... She gave him the letter which he read through. Elisabeth did not show her fear of what would happen. After a while, the headmaster looked at them both and said.
- We have some things to talk about, I suppose. Please, sit down.
They both sat down in front of the headmaster and he was thoughtful for several minutes.
- What do you think of this Severus? Asked the headmaster the professor who put his arms crossed.
- Something we need to do, she simply can not take the mark of course! He replied and gave the old man a serious look. The headmaster nodded in agreement and pushed up its crescent-shaped glasses.
- Yes, and we are going to do something, I can assure you both. He looked at Elisabeth over his glasses.
- Ms Ó Kerrigan, what I can understand of your reaction, you do not wanna take the mark? Elisabeth thought of his family.
- No, sir. I do not. Was her only reply.
The headmaster nodded and was silent for a moment.- Severus, could I talk to you in private? He asked and gave his potion master a knowing look.
With a sigh Snape nodded as answer to the headmaster looked again at Elisabeth.
- Then maybe, Ms Ó Kerrigan, you can wait outside for a moment while we deal with it here?
Elisabeth nodded and went outside to wait while the men talked undisturbed.
The headmaster was silent for a little while, in his thoughts before he looked at the professor.
- Severus, what if she would take the mark ...
- No, never. He interrupted the headmaster and gave the old man a warning glance. My life is at risk all the time. But don't risk a student's life.
- I thought that you'd react like this Severus, but let me speak clearly before you interrupt me. He said and saw Snape relaxed a little. That could be a great help for us to get more information about Tom's plans.
He read through the letter again.
- As said Albus, should someone's life put at risk so let it be mine, but do not mix in a student's life in this.
The headmaster looked at Snape and continued as if he had not heard what his professor had just said.
- Severus I think Ms. Ó Kerrigan would do okay with such a thing, actually. Moreover, she is one of your best students, which means that with a little preparation, she will be ready to take the mark and help us. Snape folded his hands and was about to say something when the headmaster stopped him with a hand gesture. If she makes it as good as you made during your years, maybe she can get high enough up in Tom's list and avoid all suffering. He concluded his words and took a candy from his goblet that was placed in front of him on the desk.
Snape sighed and shook his head and in a quiet voice, he replied the headmaster.
- But you hear yourself what she says. She does not want. One should respect such, Albus. He leaned forward slightly in his chair. I risk my life every time the meetings. But only because I'm good at ocklumency.
The headmaster listened in silence to the Potions master and nodding a little.
- I am very well aware of what ought to be respected Severus. But this is war. A war that we must do everything possible to win if we want our students to live in a society without fear of Tom's power. He leaned forward in his chair and also met his professor's gaze. I know it's a big risk but Ms Ó Kerrigan is skilled and can do it. I'm sure of it!
Snape shook his head.
- Probably she could, yes. He replied. But she will not be a Death Eater or double spy. She can help in thewar without those things in her life.
The headmaster sighed with a shake of the head and smiled weakly at the younger man.
- You're just as stubborn as you were when you first came to me, Severus. But that's what I've decided, Ms Ó Kerrigan takes the mark and will help you in obtaining information. Whether you like it or not.
Without more talk he waved a little with his wand and the door opened. Elisabeth went in and was greeted by the tight atmosphere that kept itself between the two men. She sat quietly in her chair with her eyes on the two men.
- Ms Ó Kerrigan, we've talked and decided ...
Snape cut off the headmaster angrily and said.
- We have not decided anything Albus. He pointed a swift finger at her. She will not take the mark. She can not protect herself if the Dark Lord decides to use Leglimency on her. Nearby Dark Lord one must always stay calm, cool head and be prepared. He then looked at her with a knowing look but accused the headmaster. You can not force a student to take the mark. Then you'd just as well say that Potter will take the mark.
The headmaster stood up to the end and looked at the professor.
- Enough Severus! I have already told you that this is how we do it! He sat down again and looked at Elisabeth.
- We have decided that you will take the mark. He waved a little with the hand when Elisabeth was about to protest. Wait a minute before you say anything. She closed her mouth and went back to silence. If you are willing to do this in order to win the war against Riddle, of course.
He sat back in his chair and waited for her answer with hands clasped in his lap while Elisabeth was going for.
- Why do I need to take the mark to help in the war? Do not misunderstand me sir, but I can not help in any other way?
She quickly looked at the professor who gave the headmaster a knowing look. The headmaster shook his head and ignored Snape's eyes.
- I'm afraid it's the only way. But if you do, Severus'll practicing your ocklumency and learn what it takes to keep you as Severus himself said it, stay calm, cool headed and prepared.
But Snape just shook his head.
- I do not teach ocklumency. Do you want her to have the mark then you can train her. I should not have to do everything.
- Severus my boy, you are better at ocklumency than both me and Tom together ... You are the only one who can teach her. The headmaster was silent for a moment before he spoke again. And if things go as we hoped for, you can continue to see each other as you did the other night.
Before either Snape or Elisabeth could say anything, he stood up and went into his private room.
- You can show yourself out, goodbye. He said and went inside the door.
Elisabeth just sat quietly and did not know what she would say. Snape stood up and walked towards the door. Why would he have to do everything? When he came to the door, he felt a twinge of pain in the body and leaned against the door frame.
- Are you okay? Asked Elisabeth who followed him to the door.
Snape did not look at her.
- It's nothing, just a little pain in the body.
Elisabeth sighed a little.
- Sit down then before you fall down. She said more like a question.
Snape shook his head and took a few steps out of the office.
- No, I'm good.
Elisabeth just nodded, it was no use, she said to herself. How could the headmaster do this? Snape knew of Elisabeth's concern and looked at her with a questioning look.
- How are you Elisabeth?
She shook her head slightly.
- I can not understand how the headmaster can even beg me to take the mark. I thought he could help me, I thought I could trust him. But I was probably wrong. She replied and Snape looked calmly at her.
- I thought so to. He's adready putting my life in danger, so why does he want to risk your life? I can not understand.
Elisabeth became quiet.
- I should write to my uncle and say that it's settled then. She said, and felt a tear fell down her cheek as she wiped away quickly. Snape sighed and said.
- Do what you want.
The irritation swelled up.
- What do you want me to do! Stand up to the headmaster? Run?! I do not want this, not at all. The only thing I wanted was to live my life after my family's death, to go out Hogwarts, get a job and get to know love. I did not become someone's weapon against a monster who is sick in the head. She turned away as tears ran down her cheeks. Forgive me ... I did not mean to say all that to you.
She wiped away her tears and broke down. She could not let the headmaster win by getting her to cry.
- There is no worry. He replied and looked at her.
- What happens now? She asked after a few minutes of silence and Snape shook his head.
- I do not know. I have no idea ...
- Do you even know what I mean? she asked with a serious gaze.
With uncomprehending gaze he shook his head. Elisabeth could not help and laughed softly.
- I mean about everything. With the mark, the headmaster ... everything! She said, blushing. But especially for us.
- It'll be okay. Was his only reply.
Elisabeth examined him and said calmly.
- How can you be so sure? What if something happens ....
- You will be trained in the best way. He interrupted her in those anxious thoughts that swirled up and looked reassuring at her. You will face dangerous things in this castle and learn how to tackle them with the same calm as I always have when I'm on meetings with the Dark Lord. It will not be easy, but you must do it.
Elisabeth were surprised. He was really indeed, going to teach her!
- If I can not handle the headmaster's expectations and if anything happens to me ...
He shook his head.
- You need to do it. He interrupted her again. Do not you think it means death. What you learn here is just as dangerous as meetings with the Dark Lord. But of course, I'll be around and can prevent the dangerous if you do not get it the first few times ...
- Don't interrupt me, please! Elisabeth now interrupted him and continued. If I can not do that and if I die, I want you to take my body back here to the school and make sure that everyone in the scool and the Ministry, including my aunt and uncle, understands how useless this war is.
She shook her head a bit and got her breath.
Snape looked at her and almost pierced her gaze.
- You will make it. You have to do it, like I said. The chill that was over his words iced into her body and she only nodded and before either of them knew it, she put her arms around him in a hug.
Snape put his arms around her as well as some support for her and looked around. Shortly after she pulled away and blushed small.
- I guess I should go or I'll never get a chance to state that letter to my uncle. She said somewhat confused and turned to go, but when she arrived a few feet away, she turned around. By the way, when is the first lesson I will have with you? she asked.
- Private lessons or ordinary? He asked back with his barely noticeable smile.
Elisabeth smiled small.
- Private.
- We will start next week. He replied and Elisabeth nodded.
- I'll see you then. After class and dinner, Professor?
Snape nodded and Elisabeth waved her hand a little fast before she passed away. Snape sighed shortly after she was gone and reminded himself that he had patrolled night this evening. He walked with quick steps to his stock and brought a pepper-up potion which would be his saver from falling asleep during the patrol.
It had not been wrong to get a few hours sleep, too. He thought irritably to himself and started his patrol.
When Elizabeth came up to her room, she took out a piece of her note paper and quill. She was thinking about what and how she'd write, eventually she began.
Uncle,
I am more than grateful to you and aunt, most of all the Lord of Darkness, which allows me to be included with such a great honor to take the mark. However, I would ask for one thing, and that is that we postpone the whole thing until after the winter break which, according to what I figured out, is about one month. Until further notice, I wish you well and a nice July.
Elisabeth Ó Kerrigan.
She put away the quill and went out to the owl tower where she gave the letter to her black raven, Fjalar who she got from her uncle when she turned eleven.
- Fly safe my friend. Do not let the letter fall into the wrong hands. She said and walked out towards the stairs and unleashed the big bird and saw how he quickly disappeared into the horizon. Now it was just to wait and train hard.
It started now. She thought with a sigh, and with the jacket tightly about her, she went back to the school building.
In the castle Snape walked his patrol and gave punishment commanding and points deductions for the students he found.
Elisabeth took welcoming of her jacket when she came into her private quarter and got directly her personal notebook and quill. She sat in her chair that she got there and opened the book where she last written and looked through her notes. She had three years ago with the help of her uncle learned to do some custom few spells that she wrote it down in a small leather-bound notebook given to her by her cousin many years ago.
A few days later Elisabeth sat quietly in the main hall and savored her breakfast as them so many other days when Draco sat down next to her.
- Good morning, Elisabeth. He said and began to eat himself. Elisabeth sat quietly without saying anything. He looked at her. I see you have not got any sleep last night? He asked.
Elisabeth gave him a quick glance before she snorted at him. He clenched his jaw and remained silent for a few moments.
- Yes Elisabeth. I wonder, where will you spend your Christmas this year? He asked once more for his silence.
- Why do you even care, Draco? She asked irritably back and got that response of a shrug.
- I heard that you would not celebrate Christmas with your family this year. My father told me after they met recently. He said as he took a piece of toast. Elisabeth stoned a little while Draco did not care about it.
- I ask again, Draco. What does that have to do with you? She asked again, and she noticed the angry annoyance in his eyes.
- I just wanted to ask if you wanted to come and spend Christmas with my family in Malfoy's Manor. He said and continued eating. Elizabeth was stunned and mumbled extra quiet, but after a while she talked again.
- Forgive me, Draco, yes it would be very nice if I could celebrate Christmas with your family She smiled a fake but even though a smile at him. If Draco had lost his temper took you away relatively quickly and Elisabeth continued her day without worries with her lessons and felt her mood got better and better. Over lunch, she saw not Draco somewhere but she did not care about for the moment.
This was a good day entrusted everything. She thought to herself at some point during the day.
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