Amati and Crushing expectations

The words hit with a bluddger were always slightly concerning words to any Professor. However, in the case where it involved his daughter Snape felt the soul leave his body, his heart racing as he schooled his features. The students were whispering and watching him. He couldn't show weakness. However, he couldn't hide everything from them, even the strongest of men break when their child is harmed. 

"Severus?" Dumbledore said it as though he was repeating himself but Snape hadn't heard a word. 

"Yes Headmaster? My apologies." Snape looked back at the blue gray eyes that saw more than he wished they did. This man knew his weakness, but could never know the truth of Natilee's birth. No one connected with that boy would. 

"I was saying I think, perhaps I should assist the students in their essays. Potions is of course a hobby of mine." Dumbledore pointed out but his tone said so much more and for that Snape was greatful. 

"Yes, If you wish Headmaster. I dare say the students will enjoy it." Snape agreed carefully and nodded at the students. "Be sure your essay assignment is completed before class tomorrow. No name, OR not on time, no credit." He adds before walking tall out of the classroom. 

The trip to the hospital wing was uneventful, partially because anyone with a brain could sense the pressure pouring off the Professor. Even Filtch ducked behind a corner, not wanting to get caught in his path. 

Madame Pomfrey nodded as he entered and pointed toward a bed nearby. Sure enough, familiar black hair was sprawled across the pillow. Natilee was sleeping, or at least that's what she wanted him to think. He had watched her rest countless times, he knew how she breathed when she was asleep. 

"Natilee Lilliana Snape what did I tell you about paying attention to the balls that could kill you on the field?" He demanded a bit sharper than he intended. Emotionless corrections ,apparently, didn't apply to his daughter as it did the school kids. 

"Daddy it came from behind me." Natilee tried to point out a bit nervously. He frowned looking down at her on the bed. She was ok, but the pain in those eyes hurt him. He sat down in the chair and gently brushed his hand over her for head to brush the bangs back. 

"You should have seen the trajectory as it went behind you. The natural rebound angle is something you can predict." He reminded her as he did a once over of her with a small wordless spell. 

"It wasn't a natural trajectory it was batted out behind the goals and its rebound was off by 25 degrees sending it into my back." Natilee protested her eyes fluttering closed, enjoying the comforting feel of her father's cool hand on her forehead. He smelled of Wormwood and Belladonna. She chuckled "Anti poisons?" He startled a bit and then shook his head. 

"Yes. I knew something was wrong with Young Mr. Black was prepared to take  notes." He explained with a low chuckle. Natilee smiled. 

"Yea… he promised so I would stay in the hospital wing. I wanted to go back to class but Madam Pomfrey was worried about my spine." She replied and he nodded. 

"Judging by how you look I would say she was right." Snape replied folding his arms over his chest, one dark eyebrow raised expectantly. Natilee sighed, she knew he would side with the doctor. It was pretty much a given when she was injured. 

"I know and that's why I'm still in bed. She thinks the medicine should have worked by dinner. So I might be able to be at the great hall." Natilee offered almost hopefully. She would much prefer his permission now than his scorn later. 

"Oh? I think, perhaps, you should listen to your body. Do you think you are ready for that?" Snape asked, watching her carefully.

"I think…it might be best I just rest tonight." Natilee admitted knowing he was right. Her body was sore and honestly she didn't want to deal with the goon squad. 

"How badly did we lose the match?" Natilee asked and her father gave her a grin. 

"I hear a certain amount of male testosterone may have resulted in some prideful foolishness on the field. The only positive thing is it worked in Slytherin's favor... this time. It also carried over into Defense against the Dark Arts training. They dueled it out  Young Mr.Black and Young Mr.Malfoy are both unscathed thankfully." Snape grinned as he glanced at his daughter curiously. 

"I see. Well, you know Wally, he can't  be on the losing end of a 'One Up' contest. Especially with Malfoy. He has too much pride and honor for that." Natilee pointed out as she reached up to massage her temples. 

"No… this time I don't think it was his honor he was dueling for, little Amati." He replies chuckling before standing up. The use of her nickname caused both warmth and confusion. He never used it on school grounds. The bright yellow lilies he had given her every year flashed to mind. Amanti Lillies, for there is no greater love than that of this father to his daughter.

"I am not sure I understand." Natilee admitted and he leaned down kissing her forehead. He set something in her hand and stood up. The yellow flower that he had materialized now in her hands. 

"You will one day. Now rest." He replied before turning back to his stoic  countenance. "Also, I expect your Essay on poison antidotes by the end of the day tomorrow. You shouldn't have a problem finding time to write it." He said clearly in teaching mode before winking and disappearing with the same signature look on his face. 

She smiled "I love you Dad." Natilee called after him and he stopped turning back to her. 

"And I love you, My little Amati." He agreed before leaving. She reached for her small bag beside her and pulled what appeared to be a black Rubix cube from her bag. After twisting it a couple times, the cube clicked and the top opened. Inside, were shrunken scrolls and a miniature pen and ink. 

"Engorgio." She tapped the scroll as she spoke and it became full size, and she did the same for the writing utensils. Soon, she was lost in meticulously explaining the anti poison groups, and their classifications as remedes, preventative, or curative. She never noticed a certain Madam watching her with a look of hopeless disapproval. 

The second teen watched her from the door, his expression cool and collected but the slightest hint of displeasure on his lips. This girl was a labyrinth of strange behaviors and a lack of awareness that he had come to expect. 

However, just now, he was glad she wasn't aware of him. Even pale and in one of the hospital's unattractive, blue striped gowns she was something to look at. Not a beauty by any means but Pretty. She wasn't beautiful in the sense of perfect, pristine, and put together, instead she looked normal. Like a pretty girl with a mind more important than her hair. Strange but fascinating. 

He pushed off the wall and walked over to her bed. "Wallace did you have the notes?" Natilee asked as she heard the footsteps near her. His fist clenched and Natilee felt the sudden change in the air. She looked up to see Draco standing by the bed with a couple parchments. "Oh, Draco. Sorry I had thought you were…" 

"I know. I heard. I got paired with you in charms. We have a project and I wanted to come talk to you about it." Draco explained as he set the parchments on the table. Natilee smiled at him warmly. This was a kindness she had not expected. 

"I see. Well, why don't we discuss it then. What's the scoop?" She asked setting her completed parchment aside. He glanced, the title. 

"Your already done with the potions essay?" He asked, raising an eyebrow. She chuckled at his expression. 

"Yes. Aren't you?" She tossed the ball back in his court and he made The expression. It was an expression she had seen all the time in the US. That 'I will not be shown up, of course I did' look. However Malfoy's expression wasn't as self confident and self assured there was still a hint of innocents. There was a part of him that was insecure, and that she could relate to. 

"Of course I have. I just didn't expect you to have had time with Madam Pomfrey on your back." He replied and tried to look unconcerned. Natilee chuckled, deciding to play with him. 

"Oh really now? Why do I get the feeling you haven't even had time to start it? Or, are you waiting for Asti to finish hers?" Natilee asked folding her arms over her chest and settling back into her nest of pillows. Draco suddenly looked a little startled and panicked. "Yea, I've seen you borrow her homework to compare something, funny thing is her neat handwriting has little to do with a blank scroll." She hinted coolly. Malfoy's expression looked like he wanted to deny it but then he stopped. 

"I just don't get these concepts. Potions and transfiguration are supposed to be easy classes." He growled in annoyance. Natilee watched him amused as Madam gave them a hush warning. He apologized curtly. 

"Who said they are easy? Professor Mcgonagall and Professor Snape are two of the most brilliant teachers at this school. They expect excellence and perfection." Natilee pointed out. Even she didn't have perfect Mark's in her father's class. He would fail her in a heartbeat if she performed below his expectations for her. 

"That shouldn't matter. I am a Malfoy. This should run in my blood." He replied sharply and she nodded smiling. Bingo. That is exactly where she thought this was going. 

"I see. So just because your father may have been good at something you should be too?" Natilee asked, raising a brow. He nodded.

"Our whole line is good at potions and jinx casting. Why am I so bad?" He demands and takes out his wand pointing at her quil he uttered the charm to turn it into something else and it quivered, and then changed color. 

"See it changed from falcon to eagle." She praises and he put his head in his hands.

"I was shooting for fountain pen."  He admitted a bit glumly. 

"Draco… have you ever considered the reason you are struggling so much is because you are trying too hard?" Natilee asked and Draco lifted his head up and looked at her in confusion. 

"You are the first one to say that. Everyone else thinks I'm not trying at all." He replied honestly surprised and Natilee chuckled and shook her head. 

"What I mean is, you are a Malfoy but you are Draco, not Lucius. Charms may not be your calling, perhaps its defense against dark arts or muggle studies." Natilee giggled at the distaste on his face at the last comment. Then he realized it was a joke and smirked. "Jokes aside, I think if you quit trying to be a natural, and you just tried to learn the material, you would be a star student." 

"So your saying quit trying to make it come to me… instead go to it." He replied thinking her words through carefully. 

"Many people are not naturals at their passions.  I have a passion for potions and dancing. Dancing took effort to learn, but potions came naturally." She explains with a soft smile. "If you need help feel free to let me know. We can always claim we have a secret love affair or the headmaster assigned you to my club." Natilee pointed out with a chuckle. Her joking tone made him laugh but his eyes were conflicted. 

"Alright… well thanks. I must head back to the great hall. All of the information on the project is there. Get better." He replied standing up and straightening his robes. She knew how this would go. This conversation never happened. He would still put that pressure on himself and she would watch it slowly smother his spirit. That made her heart ache. Sometimes there is nothing more destructive than family expectations.