Loyalties

A slight accident

During her next Potions lesson later in the week, Thea made sure that she was as attentive as ever. An equal number of both Gryffindors and Slytherins were disappointed that Thea's usual spirits were subdued. Many of them looked forward to the arguments between Thea and Snape, as few walked away from such events without a detention or the deduction of points; neither of which Thea had ever received. She might be able to concentrate on her work now, but Thea was in no mood for any kind of combat.

It was near the end of the lesson that Thea noticed Malfoy gesturing to her. She ignored him. Others might think such a thing stupid, but the day she feared or obeyed Draco Malfoy would be the day hell froze over. His gestures finally ceased, and she could imagine how furious he was by now. Though he knew full well how she would not participate in his inane and overtly vicious attacks, especially not during lessons. Although a deceitful witch when it suited her agenda, Thea was for the majority brutally honest. And Malfoy knew exactly what she thought of his little 'pranks'.

When she heard the whisper of curses she wasn't surprised, a fight nearly always broke out in this class. Sighing Thea continued to tend to her potion, it was only when she was hit from behind that she really began to worry. At first she had dea dea what curse she had just been subjected to. She simply stood in shock for a few seconds; and then the pain started. Her wand, which she had instinctively reached for began to jerk in her hand as her arm was wracked with the most excruciating spasm. Thea was determined not to cry out, but when the spasms moved up to her shoulder, almost wrenching it from its socket, she gasped.

She scrabbled for her wand with her left hand, but the spasms were spreading rapidly and soon she was on the floor aware that her body was convulsing and unable to stop it. Through the haze of pain she heard someone speaking, and slowly the spasms ceased. For a time Thea simply lay where she was, her hot cheek pressed against the cold floor. Then the room came back into focus and she was aware of the deathly silence and Snape's angry face as he kneeled next to her. He reached an arm around her and helped her to stand on slightly shaking legs.

Thea was already thinking about who might have done this. A Slytherin was the only option, as only one of them would have dared to use such a violent curse in public.
The obvious choice was Malfoy, but Thea knew he was afraid of her family's influence. The others were simply too unmoved or afraid of her to try anything, which left. . . . Adrianna. Thea's eyes narrowed. Adrianna was a cold, icy-stared girl who was the worst kind of Slytherin; dishonest, vicious, supremely prejudiced and unafraid of consequences. She also harboured a special dislike of Thea for consistently getting better grades than herself. Thea's ancestry rivalled her own, and that was not something she appreciated. Adrianna liked to believe she was in a league of her own.

Thea attempted to take a step towards the smirking girl, but to her great annoyance her legs gave way, forcing Snape to catch her roughly around her middle.
'Class!' Snape bellowed, causing Thea to wince slightly. 'You will all place your wands on my desk as you leave. Now clear away your equipment.' He hissed, before helping Thea over to his seat behind the desk.
'Rest your head down.' He ordered, but Thea shook her head, which resulted in sharp agonising pains that made her vision blur. Sighing in frustration Snape turned back to the class to chew them out whilst they cleared their stuff away.

Thea was embarrassed and therefore furious to note that many of the young witches and wizards were shooting her worried and sympathetic glances. Even Malfoy looked extremely pissed off, and Thea couldn't tell whether it was because he had to hand in his wand, or because someone in his own house had attacked an influential, if not well liked, member.

Thea rested her head in her hands so she wouldn't have to look at them, and it seemed forever until the last person laid down their wand and then left the room. No one dared ask when the wands would be returned.


Later Thea was seated once again in Snape's study. She was valiantly trying to hold her head upright but the curse had left her feeling incredibly fatigued and drained. To her great embarrassment Snape had had to assist her in the short walk from the potion room to his study. Now her body was aching terribly and her head was pounding.

The door suddenly opened, and Thea jumped slightly. Snape strode in; his robes billowing out behind him, his hair flicked back from his face. His expression was more severe than usual.

He closed and locked the door and then seated himself in one of the soft chairs next to her. Thea had been surprised at Snape's kind gesture of allowing her to rest in the large plushy chairs near the fireplace. He had not gone so far as to light a blazing fire, but Thea didn't expect a bloody miracle.

Snape linked his fingers together in a familiar gesture and gazed at Thea intently. Usually she could match that unfeeling stare but right now she felt as if she had been trampled by elephants. She was too weak to throw up her usual cover and so looked away. Snape frowned.
'Adrianna was the one who cast the curse. Although she assures me that it was not aimed at you and that that was an unfortunate accident.' Thea bit back the urge to snort derisively.
'However,' Snape continued, 'That does not excuse her from using such a potent curse during class, or in that fact at any time or place in which it is directed at a fellow student.' His voice darkened. 'I can assure you that she is being suitably punished.'

Thea nodded slightly. Clearing her throat, her voice came out disturbingly weak. 'Thank you, Professor. Could I please be excused now?'
She went to stand, and to her great consternation discovered that she could not.
'Damn it!' She yelled her fury completely overriding her need to hide all emotions. Then to her great mortification, she burst into tears. It started as hot tears pouring down her face, accompanied by the silent heaving of her chest. But in no time at all she was sobbing loudly, her body aching with every breath, her hands covering her face in a last vain attempt to salvage some of her dignity. The problem with holding such a stern grip on your emotions was that when that hold loosened everything tended to push through all at once.
'Here, here.' Snape spoke in an uncharacteristically soft voice, and suddenly he was there kneeling in front of her, a vial in his hand.
'Drink this.' And obediently Thea did.

A soothing warmth oozed down her throat and into her chest, and gradually she stemmed her tears. She realised that her pain had lessened, and that she no longer felt so very out of control.
'I'm so sorry.' She managed to get out through gritted teeth, unable to look her Professor in the eye.
'No need to apologise, Thea.' She was slightly surprised that he used her first name.
'If you're concerned about such things, I know that you are not upset simply because of what happened today in class. It is obvious that something more is bothering you.' He paused, and Thea felt him lay a hand on her knee.
'Would you care to tell me about it?'

Thea finally found the courage to look him in the eyes, and although largely unreadable they showed no hint of derision or scorn. She relaxed slightly against the back of the chair. Out of all the staff Thea was prepared to trust only two people; Professor Dumbledore and Professor Snape. But the information she was privy to could be dangerous once shared, and although she had her suspicions about who Snape actually reported to, they were nothing but that; suspicions. So after a pause she shook her head and said a clear, 'No.' then after another pause; 'Although I appreciate your concern.'

Snape abruptly stood up, and Thea felt the now cool spot on her knee where his surprisingly hot hand had been. She was very relaxed, very calm, and she knew it was the potion he had given her. She yawned, her long fingers raised across her mouth.
'Of course, you must be exhausted. Can you make it back to your room?' Snape's tone was back to its usual briskness.
Thea attempted to stand and when her legs supported her, she smiled and said 'Yes, thank you. I'll be fine.'

Snape nodded, and Thea took that as her cue to leave. The professor unlocked and opened the door for her, and just as he was leaving said, 'Sleep well, Miss. Carter.' Thea merely nodded, her back still to him, before heading down the hall and up the long stairs that led away from the dungeon and towards the comfort of her room, and her bed.

That night Thea didn't need the Sleeping potion to fall into a deep sleep.