Retributions

Chapter 5

Retributions

Grace knocked apprehensively on Evelyn’s door. She didn’t reply, so Grace entered. Evelyn was stomping around the room, throwing clothes on the bed and then throwing them back in the wardrobe.

“Evelyn,” Grace said, trying to start a conversation.

Evelyn went into the bathroom and slammed the door behind her. When Grace tried opening it, she discovered that Evelyn was using her telekinesis to hold it shut.

“Evelyn, that’s not fair. You know I don’t have any powers,” Grace said.

Evelyn reluctantly opened the door to face Grace.

“What are you so mad about?” Grace asked.

Evelyn glared at her in disbelief. “Are you kidding? That little bastard tried to kill you, and you let him off!”

“It’s not that simple. I don’t think he intended for it to kill me,” Grace reasoned.

“Of course he did!” Evelyn yelled.

“No, he didn’t. If he’d truly wanted me dead, he’d have used a poison. Many poisons dissolve in the blood, so no traces can be found. I think all he wanted was for me to be ill.”

“Why?” Evelyn couldn’t understand her reasoning.

“Maybe so I’d leave.”

“Why would he want you to leave?” Evelyn asked.

“Because I don't have any magical ability. He’s Slytherin. They hate non-magic people.”

“Snape doesn’t hate you,” Evelyn replied.

“How do you know?” Grace asked curiously.

There was something about Snape she couldn’t put her finger on. It was almost as if she was drawn to him. She hadn’t been able to sense anything from him yet. And, although he hid it well, she could tell he got slightly nervous in her presence.

“Well, he seems to tolerate you more than others,” Evelyn explained. “And from what I hear, that’s high praise coming from him. He doesn’t like anyone, except maybe you.”

“I wouldn’t go so far as to say he likes me,” Grace said, “but I think we came to an understanding.”

“How so?”

“Well, let’s just say I gave him a piece of my mind. He expected me to do slave’s work instead of acting as his assistant. I don’t think he’ll make that mistake again,” Grace mused. She turned in time to see Evelyn smile evilly at Snape’s predicament.

They sat and talked for a while, mostly about Evelyn’s first Defence class, which had been with sixth-year Hufflepuffs and Ravenclaws. It was hours later when they realised that it was time for dinner. Classes had finished for the day, and most of the school was now in the Great Hall eating.

They walked to the teachers’ table under the watchful eyes of many of the students. Evelyn ignored them, walking briskly and confidently. Grace tried not to notice, hurrying behind Evelyn and settling into a seat next to Snape. Professor Sinistra usually sat next to him, but she had moved to the other end of the table. He didn’t look up from his plate and appeared to be deeply studying his food. Evelyn rolled her eyes, which, compared to her usual outbursts, was a major achievement in self-control. Grace shrugged her shoulders and began eating. After several minutes, she couldn’t help but wonder what punishment he’d given Draco and Pansy.

“Professor,” Grace said quietly. He whipped his head up and stared at her, obviously a little surprised.

“Um, I was curious. What punishment did you give Draco and Pansy?” she enquired, trying desperately not to sound too abrasive or questioning. He relaxed his glare a little when he realised that she had no intention of criticising.

“I made them gut rats and took a total of 100 points from Slytherin,” he replied.

“But that would leave them with minus 80,” Grace said, a little surprised. She knew how he prided himself in trying to keep Slytherin ahead of all Houses.

“Yes, it would,” Snape deadpanned.

“How long do they have to gut rats for?” Grace asked, smiling slightly.

“For as long as I feel they need to learn their lesson or until they are out of puberty.”

Snape eyed her, wondering if she was going to suggest a time period. She simply nodded approval and went back to eating. Snape continued to look at her for a few seconds, realising they had reached an understanding much like the one he had with Dumbledore: If he didn’t question her, she wouldn’t question him. He finished his dinner and headed back to the dungeon, leaving Grace with her thoughts. She followed his progress to the door, wishing he would have more than a three-second conversation with her.

“I doubt that will ever happen,” Evelyn said suddenly.

Grace looked at her scornfully. “Stop using your powers on me!”

“I didn’t have to. Your thoughts practically invaded my mind.” Evelyn smiled at her.

“I’m going to go draw,” Grace said as she got up.

“Don’t stay up too late,” Evelyn called after her.

Grace returned to her room and pulled out her sketchpad. Before she even realised what she was drawing, she’d finished. She was shocked to find that she’d drawn Snape in profile. She threw the ledger on the bed and went to have a bath.

It didn’t take long to relax, and she soon fell asleep. She started having the dream again, still not able to see the man’s face and why he was reaching for her. The closer he got, the darker he appeared. She was never going to find out who he was.