AN: Hello everyone, just a reminder,
When we hit 10 REVIEWS, I'll release an EXTRA chapter! Only 2 more needed!
Just before they went to sleep, Greengrass and Blake heard footsteps in the Great Hall. Although at this point neither of them could see each other, the two Slytherins drew their wands discreetly, senses on edge. Is Black back?
"Any sign of him, Professor?" Percy Weasley's voice whispered. It was Dumbledore's voice that responded, and Blake almost let out an audible sigh of relief. The conversation that ensued confirmed the hazy story that Tracey had given - Sirius Black had entered Hogwarts and tried to enter Gryffindor Tower via the Fat Lady portrait. When he was refused entry, he flew into a rage and attacked her, leaving a gaping slash in the picture. So, he's still at large.
A new voice spoke suddenly. Snape, Blake recognised. According to him, Black had escaped the castle. Makes sense - he knows he can't beat Dumbledore, so the best way to kill Harry would be a hit and run.
"It seems - almost impossible - that Black could've entered the school without inside help."
As Dumbledore quickly shut down Snape's suggestion, Blake's eyes narrowed. He's accusing Lupin, isn't he? So he's one of the people that Greengrass mentioned.
As much as it pains me to admit it, she's right. If we're going to make a move, we need to make it soon.
/
"Professor?" Malfoy said uncertainly. "Where's Lupin?"
"Professor Lupin's taken ill, unfortunately," Snape drawled with a twisted smile, not sounding sympathetic in the slightest. "As a result, I will be covering today's lesson. Now, can someone tell me what's been covered so far?"
Malfoy told Snape what they'd covered, seemingly forgetting half of the content, and the Potions Master took the opportunity to slander the Defence teacher as much as he could.
"Disorganised, the new Defence teacher is, isn't he? Incompetent at teaching too, it seems."
Malfoy, his two sidekicks, and his latest admirer, Pansy Parkinson (who Blake thought rather resembled a cactus), sniggered as Snape continued to smile. The other Slytherins said nothing, regardless of their disagreement. No point trying to argue with him, Blake thought. No need to get into trouble either. Snape becomes more and more unlikeable by the day, but it would be a massive pain to get on his bad side.
"Regardless, I will teach you a topic that's actually important for you all," Snape said, smiling wider than he'd ever done before. "Turn to Page 394."
Hold on, Blake thought as he quickly flicked to the page. Isn't Page 394 about…
"Tell me, Malfoy. What do you know about werewolves?"
Sh*t. Snape knows?
/
"Snape was in the same year as my parents and the Marauders," Greengrass confirmed after the lesson. "They hated each other. It's no surprise that he's trying to out Lupin indirectly, without making Dumbledore mad."
"Wait - so Snape hated - hates - Harry's dad?"
"Yes."
"That makes sense," Blake laughed. "Harry's always being told he's the spitting image of James Potter."
"I don't care."
"Shut up, Greengrass."
"Anyway, I doubt anyone in our class will make the connection - the only people that might are Granger and potentially a Ravenclaw. Then again, we don't know about the other years. If they've anyone mildly competent, they'll find out too."
"It's fine," Blake said dismissively. "I asked around - Snape's got Potions for the rest of the day anyway, apart from one lesson with the Gryffindors, so only Hermione could find out. She probably will too, but I'm not worried about that. She wouldn't tell anyone - probably not even Harry or Ron."
"That's good to know," Greengrass said, sighing as they walked. "I'm going to see Professor Snape about something. We arranged for a meeting with Professor Lupin during the Quidditch match, correct?"
"Correct," Blake said, mimicking the girl's posh voice.
"Shut up, Renshaw. I'll see you then." The girl marched off as Blake shook his head at her retreating figure. Seriously… could she be any more conceited?
He began walking to the castle exit to get to the Forest again, ready for his training. I want to try Legilimency soon, Blake thought. But on who- wait - that's-
"Hey!" he semi-shouted, running over to the collapsed girl. "Are you okay?" The girl was barely breathing, her pulse shallow, her eyes glassy.
Sh*t. It's Astoria Greengrass!
"If you can hear me, don't worry," Blake said, trying to sound and be gentle as he picked her up. "I'm taking you to the Infirmary right now!"
The boy turned and ran as fast as he could, climbing up the staircases and going through corridor doors rapidly, praying desperately that she'd be okay.
"Renshaw? What-" Madam Pomfrey's eyes widened as she saw who he was carrying.
"Put her down here, and fetch the Headmaster and Professor Snape, now!"
Blake followed the orders quickly, before rushing to Snape's office.
"I see," Snape said, looking alarmed. "Go back to your dorm, Renshaw. I'll take it from here."
"But, Professor - Greengrass -"
"I said, 'I'll take it from here', Renshaw. I'll fetch Daphne Greengrass and the Headmaster myself."
Blake almost snapped at the annoying man, but held back at the last second.
"Yes, sir."
/
The next time Blake saw Greengrass, she looked different. Imperceptibly different to most other people, of course, who still saw her as a somewhat intimidating figure after she got Malfoy to agree to a duel with Blake last year (which ended up with the pureblooded boy in the Infirmary for a week).
The pair sat wordlessly throughout the majority of their next Charms lesson, until Greengrass broke the silence.
"Thanks."
"No need after last year," Blake immediately responded, remembering back to how the girl had made a Mandrake Restorative Draught for his brother.
Another silence befell them, but this one was far more comfortable.
"Do you remember the offer you made to me last year?"
Blake's eyes immediately widened.
"Yeah?"
"Well, I can make no promises, but-"
"Forget it, Greengrass," he said dismissively. "You're not in any state right now to negotiate, and I won't let you agree just because your little sister is sick."
"But-"
"I'll help you anyway."
The blonde girl looked down suddenly, but Blake could see the top of her cheeks pull back slightly. She's smiling?
"That's not very Slytherin of you."
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