38

Chapter 38

Snape Finds Out

Things were getting worse. I heard McGonagall talking in the hall. I went outside and looked around the corner.

"I am merely requesting that when it comes to my student, you conform to the prescribed disciplinary practices." Said McGonagall.

I smiled. Most of the people in the great hall were coming out. I saw Cho take Harry's hand.

"So silly of me but it sounds as though you're questioning my authority in my own classroom, Minerva."

I narrowed my eyes and McGonagall took a step up the stairs.

"Not at all, Dolores. Merely your medieval methods."

Umbridge now took a step up.

"I'm sorry dear. But to question my practices, is to question the Ministry, and by extension, the Minister himself! I am a tolerant woman, but the one thing I will not stand for is disloyalty."

Now McGonagall stepped down.

"Disloyalty."

Umbridge looked out at all of us.

"Things at Hogwarts are far worse than I feared. Cornelius will want to take immediate action."

And he did. Umbridge began questioning all the teachers. I heard she even measure Flitwick! She was hardest on Professor Trewalney. Even Draco felt bad for her. Then she appeared in Potions class. Luckily, I'd sat in the very back corner of the classroom.

"You applied first for Defense Against the Dark Arts?"

"Yes."

"But you were unsuccessful?"

"Obviously."

I narrowed my eyes and slid under the table. I went weasel and made my way to the front. I actually managed to tie a string to the legs of two tables. My dad saw me but he didn't say anything. I hurried back and waited until no one was looking to turn back. As she turned, she tripped and fell. Most started to laugh quietly and there was a smirk on my dad's face. She got up and walked out of the room like nothing happened. Ron was still snickering and dad hit him over the head with a notebook. Harry looked at me and I winked.

After class, dad held me back. I bit my lip and walked up to the desk.

"Yes?"

"Change."

"What do you mean?"

"You know perfectly well what I mean Lillian Rose."

There was no way out of this. I sighed and got up on the desk. I turned into a weasel and my dad's eyes wide.

"Oh, Lily." He said.

I put my head down and then climbed down to the floor. I turned back and waited for the scolding.

"How long have you been able to do this?"

"Since I was thirteen." I said.

He sat down at his desk and I slowly looked up. He didn't look as angry as I feared he would.

"I must say I'm impressed. Though I can't say I'm surprised. You have your mother's smarts. But you did it illegally. That's what makes me angry."

I sighed.

"Does anyone else know about this?"

"Yeah. Draco, my brother, Ron and Hermione. Oh and Sirius."

He sighed and ran his hand over his face.

"Are… are you going to report me?"

"What kind of question is that? Of course not! But Lily, do you have any idea what they would do if you were caught? It would break my heart."

I went over and hugged him tightly.

"I'm not an idiot, daddy. I know enough not to get caught. I promise."

He held me tight.

"You're all I have Lily. Please don't do anything foolish."

"I promise I won't."

"I'm guessing you tied the string."

I laughed and stepped back.

"I proudly admit it."

He smirked.

"It was amusing. Have you done anything else to her?"

That was when I remembered the cage.

"Okay… daddy I need to tell you something."

"You can always tell me anything."

I took a deep breath.

"I snuck into Harry's bag when he went to detention. He drew attention to me and then Umbridge put me in a cage."

His features didn't change and I couldn't get a read on him. I was scared now.

"Daddy?"

He still said nothing. I heard a knock on the door and looked at Draco.

"Ready to go?"

I slowly shook my head.

"Everything alright?"

He sounded nervous and worried.

"Get over here, Mr. Malfoy."

He quickly came forward. Dad pointed to me.

"How long have you known about what my daughter can do?"

Draco looked at me.

"Is he talking about the-"

I nodded.

"Since we were thirteen." He admitted.

Dad slowly nodded.

"Which means you attacked Lupin when he was a werewolf. And you were sneaking around Moody's office after I told you not to."

I didn't say anything.

"Those are the things I'm angry about. And that is why you will be grounded for two weeks."

"But daddy everything I did was only to help!"

He arched a brow.

"Do you want to make it three weeks, young lady?"

I immediately shut my mouth.

"Good. I don't want to hear anything from Umbridge about a weasel. If I do, you'll be grounded for two months. Do you understand me?"

"Yes, dad. I understand."

"Very good. And you, Mr. Malfoy, keep an eye on her."

I smirked and Draco took my hand.

"Yes, sir."

"And you must tell no one else!"

We both nodded.

"I'm only hard on you because I love you. You know that, don't you?"

I smiled softly and nodded.

"I know. And trust me when I tell you, she will never catch me. You're the first one to find out on your own."

"It's true, sir. If she doesn't want to be seen, you can't see her."

"Hm, well your punishment starts… next week. Go on then."

I smiled. This weekend was the first Hogsmade visit.

"I love you daddy."

"And I you."

I smiled more and then left with Draco.

Harry's POV

I was summoned to Snape's office. Hermione and Ron were already there.

"Come in and sit down, Potter."

I sighed in frustration but did as he said.

"Now then, it has come to my attention that my daughter had a special skill, so to speak."

"Skill, sir?"

He narrowed his eyes.

"I know she's an Animagus! And I know she's told you three and Mr. Malfoy. And she also told me about how you got her locked in a cage, Potter!"

"She crawled into my bag!"

"And she has been punished for that! But I'm taking five points from Gryffindor from you."

"That's not fair!"

"Life isn't fair! Your father made sure I knew that!" he snarled.

I glared at him.

"If any of you let slip what Lillian can do I will make sure you regret the day you were born."

"We'd never say anything!" Ron said.

Hermione nodded.

"Good. Now get out."

We both continued to stare at each other.

"I said, get out, Potter."

I slowly looked away and then left with Ron and Hermione.