A Song for Severus ~ (Not Update, but Edit)

Chapter 59 ~ Learning New Things


Severus met with Albus the next day, bringing the wizard a pensieve instead of a report.

“What’s this, Severus?” the Headmaster asked the wizard as he stepped through the floo and walked over to his desk, placing the bowl of silver memories upon it.

“This…” Severus said, his face slightly contorted, “Is the wizard you want to save.”

Albus viewed the pensieve. When he lifted his head, he was slightly pale. The old wizard stared at Severus, sympathy in his blue eyes.

“Remind you of anyone we knew?” the Potions Master asked as he sat in the armchair in front of Albus’ desk with his arms crossed.

Albus shook his head.

“He is very much like Voldemort,” the wizard admitted, his blue eyes sad.

“And Voldemort would rather die than change his ambitions,” Severus said, his dark eyes resting on Albus, “After seeing this pensieve Headmaster, do you really believe this…this mini-tyrant can be saved?”

Albus tapped his fingertips together thoughtfully.

“Clearly Severus, he is emulating his father’s actions because he viewed them. He is ‘acting out,’” Albus replied.

Severus’ eyebrows rose in disbelief.

“Acting out? Albus, you really consider his casting the Cruciatus curse on me ‘acting out?’” Severus said with a growl, “That was a deliberate act. Most likely premeditated to ‘keep me in my place.’ The boy is a danger Albus. Reconsider his rehabilitation and just take him out.”

“I will not arbitrarily kill an innocent, Severus,” the Headmaster said.

“Innocent? There is nothing innocent about the boy, Albus. According to Volaria, Voltaire has practiced the killing curse on actual wizards and witches specifically captured by Bella for that purpose. He has murdered purposely, Albus, and with deadly intent. He is no innocent,” Severus declared.

“All he’s done has been done under the tutelage of Bellatrix, Severus. He is not of age yet so not responsible. There is nothing to indicate the boy would have acted in such a manner if not for the way he was raised. He could be re-educated,” Albus said stubbornly.

“Age means nothing when one contains such hatred, Albus,” Severus said, “Such malice for all things living. I’m warning you, that boy should be put down.”

Albus frowned at Severus.

“As I told you before, Severus, I am taking your suggestion under advisement, but I have the last say in this matter. This is the last discussion we will have about this situation until Voltaire is actually under my protection. Am I understood, Severus?” Albus said, his eyes dark now.

Severus stared at Albus. Under his protection? Shit…that said it all. Albus had no intentions on dispatching the boy…he was going to pursue this mad idea of rehabilitation…he and Hermione both to the bitter end. Very well then. If they were allied…then he would be too. This meeting cemented his resolve.

“Yes Headmaster. I understand quite well sir. I will say nothing more about this matter, you can be assured,” the wizard said, rising.

Albus looked a bit reticent as he watched Severus collect the pensieve. He could feel the wizard’s anger under his cool façade.

“Severus, my boy…I’m” he began.

Severus cut him off sharply.

“Headmaster…no more words are needed. You are my employer and my leader. If you believe I am wrong, then that is your prerogative. We all must do what we feel is right. You owe me no explanations or apologies, Albus. None at all,” the Potions Master said to the wizard, his eyes glittering, “Good day, sir.”

And with that Severus cast a handful of powder then exited through the floo, robes billowing.

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Volaria’s first night in Ravenclaw was wonderful as far as the witch was concerned. She had never been around others close to her own age. Hermione escorted her to Ravenclaw Tower which was on the west side of the castle. A delighted Professor Flitwick met them.

“Ah, Miss Ruddle, welcome to Ravenclaw House,” the diminutive wizard said, bouncing on his toes.

Volaria looked about. She didn’t see anything other than the corridor they were standing in, and a number of moving portraits, the inhabitants all craning their necks to get a good look at her.

Hermione gave the witch a hug.

“Good luck, Volaria. Study hard,” she said, kissing the witch on the cheek and waving goodbye as she made her way back down the corridor to the shifting stairs. Professor Flitwick led her over to a large painting of a knight on a horse, holding a sword in one gauntleted hand and a shield with an azure and bronze standard in the other.

”Charming Flickety Flicks,” Professor Flitwick said to the painting.

The horse reared and the knight said in a deep voice, “You may pass,” the portrait swinging forward, revealing an entrance to a corridor.

”That is the password you need to enter Ravenclaw House, Miss Ruddle,” Professor Flitwick said as he entered, Volaria following a bit nervously. Suddenly Volaria spoke to Professor Flitwick.

“Um, excuse me sir. I have a question about the Ravenclaw representative animal. Why is it a golden eagle rather than a raven? The name of the house is Ravenclaw after all.”

Professor Flitwick smiled at her.

“Ah my dear…a simple answer really. The house founder, Rowena Ravenclaw, had the animagus form of a golden eagle with black claws. Hence the name, Ravenclaw,” he said.

Volaria nodded. That made sense.

They entered the Ravenclaw common room. It was done in azure and bronze, the house colors and had an enormous fireplace, several comfy chairs and sofas also in house colors, three chessboard tables and a number of long tables with chairs bordering the room, presumably for study. The large bevel windows were curtained with rich azure and bronze brocade draperies. Two of the walls were made up of bookshelves filled with all manner of books covering a number of difficult topics. There were two stairwells on opposite sides of the room, leading to the dorms. The room was quite comfortable.

Volaria didn’t get much of a chance to drink the room in, due to the fact that there were students filling it, all looking at her and Professor Flitwick attentively, their eyes taking their new housemate in. Professor Flitwick had already given them a short history, telling them that Volaria started Hogwarts late due to being in an orphanage, but was very bright.

Ravenclaws were naturally tactful, and the witch wouldn’t have to worry about anyone pressing her for personal details about her life she didn’t want to share, although they would be willing to listen. Of all the houses at Hogwarts, Ravenclaw was the one best suited for a witch who wished to keep a secret. Slytherin house was secretive, but students wanted to know the connections of others and judged them accordingly by them. Someone who wasn’t connected really wasn’t worth associating with as far as other Slytherins were concerned. Volaria would have been an outcast unless someone found out she could do wandless magic. She had no intention on letting that be known.

“Good evening, Ravenclaws,” Professor Flitwick said jovially, looking at his students with pride.

“Good evening, Professor,” the students all replied in unison.

The Professor indicated Volaria.

“This is Miss Volaria Ruddle, the new student I told you about. Let us give her a Ravenclaw welcome!”

To Volaria’s surprise, the students all applauded, smiling at her. It really did make her feel welcome. Not only were Ravenclaws tactful, they were thoughtful as well. They knew she had to feel apprehensive about attending Hogwarts and living with other students and all were willing to be kind and friendly to the witch until she got her bearings. Then it was back to the main focus…learning.

There was some curiosity as to how smart Volaria really was however…there was just a bit of competitiveness in Ravenclaw…on an intellectual level. It had been quite a blow to that house that it was a Gryffindor student who received the highest marks in fifty years, though Professor Flitwick took it in stride. He knew Hermione was always exceptional…and it was her courage and loyalty that made her a Gryffindor. If the Sorting Hat had only recognized her intelligence…she would have been place in Ravenclaw. But Hermione had been more than a sponge-brain.

Professor Flitwick then had each student introduce his or herself by name and year. Volaria’s mind whirled. She felt she’d never remember any of their names. There were just too many. One girl with brown hair and beautiful gray eyes seemed to stand out however.

“Hi Volaria. My name is Julia Bonepart, and I’m a third year, like you. We’ll be sharing quarters,” she said with a pretty smile.

“Hi Julia,” Volaria said, feeling suddenly shy.

Some of the Ravenclaw boys introduced themselves with waggling eyebrows that made Volaria blush, though she really didn’t know why, as the other girls scowled at the offending young males. Ravenclaw boys were intelligent, but they were still boys…and Volaria was very pretty as far as they were concerned. No time like the present to make a good first impression. One young wizard with black hair and hazel eyes stood up and introduced himself.

“My name is Brendan Hornsby. I’m a fifth year, and if you need help getting around the castle, Miss Ruddle…I will be glad to be your escort,” he said with a little courtly bow that made all the girls groan and tell him to sit down as the boys laughed at his cheek.

Volaria blushed again, her head turning completely crimson as she shyly looked at the young wizard, who winked at her.

”Thank you, Mr. Hornsby,” she said softly as wolf whistles went up.

“Now, now…remember yourselves,” Professor Flitwick chided, though his eyes twinkled.

Volaria would find Ravenclaw a good house. A very good house.

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Volaria spent the next couple of days being tested by her teachers to find out exactly where she was in the curriculum, then doing extra assignments to catch up where necessary, plus the work currently being studied.

Other witches may have found this daunting, but Volaria was completely psyched about having her work looked over and evaluated by knowledgeable teachers. She never had anyone to go over her work and tell her where she was making errors or if she were on point and she absolutely loved her classes. She would return to the Ravenclaw common room, take a seat at a table and work until it was time to go to supper…Julia having to coax her into leaving her books, then returning to work up until it was time to go to bed. It was as if she saw nothing but the work she had to do. It was her greatest joy.

The first two days both Julie and Brendan escorted her to classes, both Ravenclaws glaring at each other when Volaria wasn’t looking. Julia felt as her roommate, Volaria was her responsibility. Brendan felt since he was a male, he was better suited as an escort. Volaria let them both off the hook her third day of classes. Brendan wasn’t pleased. He had hoped to make it an ongoing thing…perhaps even get a grateful peck from the witch. But it didn’t happen.

That Friday after potions class, Professor Snape met her at the door.

“Come to my office Saturday morning at ten o’clock sharp, Miss Ruddle. Don’t tell anyone where you’re going and don’t be late,” the wizard said to her, then turned and billowed away toward Slytherin house. She blinked after him, not knowing how to feel about this. She hadn’t expected him to act so soon.

But she would be there…ready to learn.

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Ten o’clock Saturday morning found Volaria outside the Potions office. A few Slytherins passed by looking at her a bit curiously but continued on. She waited for them to get a ways up the corridor, then knocked. Severus opened the door.

“Come in, Miss Ruddle,” he said, holding the door wider. The young witch entered. Severus looked her over…she was dressed like a proper Ravenclaw and immaculately so, her tie straight, robes neatly buttoned and hair well brushed.

He arched an eyebrow at the witch. She looked apprehensive. Good.

“I need you to transform into your animagus form and cling to my robes much as you did when you escaped Bella’s stronghold, Miss Ruddle. That way no one will see you accompany me to the place we need to go,” the wizard said, picking up the cage of nifflers on his desk.

“Yes sir,” Volaria replied, then changed immediately, fluttering to the Potions Master’s dark robes and clinging to his shoulder.

Severus exited his office, warding it back and heading for the Room of Requirement.

He had only made it a few steps up the hall when a voice he loved but didn’t want to particularly hear at this moment hailed him.

“Severus? Where are you going with nifflers?” Hermione said, standing outside her door with a puzzled look on her face. Severus turned.

“I have an experiment to do,” he said silkily, “It isn’t Hogwarts related so I am utilizing the Room of Requirement to do my research.”

”Oh,” Hermione said curiously, dying to know what he was working on, “What is it?”

”I’d rather not say. I’m…superstitious,” the wizard replied with a smirk.

Hermione frowned. It was common knowledge that Potions Masters were very secretive about their projects to keep their ideas from being stolen. Well, she wasn’t going to steal any ideas.

“If you don’t want to tell me, just say so,” Hermione said huffily.

Severus smirked.

“I don’t want to tell you,” the wizard said.

Hermione let out a little cry of indignation and stormed off to her labs. Fuck him then.

Severus grinned after her. What a little spitfire. He’d make it up to her later.

He continued up the corridor, appearing in the main hall and startling students who rarely saw him on the weekends. He scowled at each and every one, the students blanching and hurrying off as he mounted the stairs heading for the floor the ROR occupied most of the time. Hopefully it would be in the proper place.

He walked down the corridor. Yes, the plain wooden door was there. He entered then said, “Hogwarts staff. Professor Snape. Total Ward.”

The Room of Requirement locked down. No one, not even Albus would be entering.

“Volaria, resume your human form,” the wizard said.

The mosquito fluttered off his shoulder and returned to human form.

“You brought your wand?” the wizard asked, setting the cage of nifflers on a table that materialized out of nowhere.

“Yes sir,” she replied nervously.

“Let me see it,” Severus said, holding out his pale hand.

Volaria retrieved her wand from her robes pocket and handed it to the Potions Master, who studied the fine craftsmanship. He was impressed.

“What kind of core does it have?” he asked her, stroking the wand’s polished length.

“Double phoenix feather,” Volaria responded.

Severus stopped stroking the wand, his eyes wide as he looked at the witch.

“Double?” he asked in disbelief.

Volaria nodded.

“Mr. Ollivander said it was a wand meant to do great things,” she said.

Severus studied the witch.

“Perhaps it is,” he agreed, thinking of Voltaire.

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A/N: Thanks for reading. ****