40

Chapter 40

Daughter of the Potions Master

The meetings were to be held in the Room of Requirement. Neville found it. When everyone saw me, several of them started to whisper.

"What's Snape doing here?"

"She's my sister and she's here to help. She knows things none of us do."

"She's Professor Snape's kid! And Draco Malfoy's girlfriend! She can't be trusted."

I rolled my eyes and took out my wand. I looked at the practice dummy and waved my wand.

Harry's POV

One of the dummies exploded into extremely tiny pieces. She didn't even say anything!

"Show of hands, who can do that?" she asked.

Everyone was dead silent, no one moved.

"No? Okay how about this…"

She waved her wand again and the dummy put itself back together… in several different forms.

"Anyone?"

Still no one. She smirked, it made it seem liken Snape was there.

"I thought not. Umbridge will never teach any of you anything like this. My brother and I are the only ones who can teach you these things. I know things he doesn't. So if you really want to take your chances, I'll see you later."

She walked a little slower.

"I'd like to learn how to do that." Luna said.

I smiled a bit and looked at Luna.

"I know I'd like to." Cho said.

I smiled at her too. I took her hand and she smiled at me. Lily agreed to help and I was relieved for that. I wouldn't have been able to do it without her.

Draco's POV

I was walking down the hall with Lily one day. People were rushing outside and Lily grabbed my hand. We followed everyone out and saw Professor Trewalney in the courtyard crying. Umbridge had that sickening little smile on her face.

"Sixteen years, I've lived and taught here. Hogwarts is my home. You can't do this."

"Actually I can."

I grabbed Draco's arm and he held me close to him. McGonagall went out and put her arms around Trewalney.

"Something you'd like to say dear?" Umbridge asked.

"Oh, there are several things I would like to say."

I found myself wishing she would say those things. The doors opened and out came Dumboledore. He walked forward swiftly and Umbridge looked a tiny bit nervous and highly annoyed, at least the smile was gone.

"Professor McGonagall, might I ask that you escort Sybil back inside."

Lily smiled. McGonagall took her back and Umbridge looked upset.

It's funny how happy that makes me.

"Dumbledore, may I remind you that under the terms of Educational Decree Number-"

"You have the right to dismiss my teachers. You do not, however, have the authority to banish them from the grounds! That power remains with the headmaster."

The smile returned.

"For now."

I looked down at Lily, but I couldn't tell what she was feeling.

"Don't you all have studying to do?!"

Everyone started to leave and I heard Potter calling for Dumbledore. Lily went after him and I sighed. Even I could tell there was something wrong with her brother. I saw Cho walk by and she nodded. I gave her a very small nod to be civil. I heard shouting and arguing and ran over. Potter had her against the wall.

"Get your hands off her!"

"Stay out of this!"

"Draco it's fine. I can handle this." She looked at Potter. "I don't know what your problem is but you can't keep taking it out on me. I'm only trying to help you."

She pushed him off and left.

Harry's POV

Malfoy glared at me before going after Lily.

"Harry?"

I turned to look at Cho.

"She's only trying to help."

I sighed and looked at my hand. If it hadn't been for her, I'd still have a scar there. I leaned against the wall and Cho put her hand on my arm.

"She's your sister. Sometimes I wish I had a brother or a sister. Family is always stronger together."

I smiled at her. I took her hand and held her close to me.

"Thanks, Cho."

She smiled at me.

Lily's POV

Whenever I was mad, I went to my father's classroom and mixed potions. The door opened and my dad walked in.

"Is everything alright?"

"Why do you ask?"

"You do this when your upset."

I sighed but didn't stop my work.

"Something is wrong with my brother. He takes his anger out on me whenever I try to help him."

He came and stood next to me.

"I was an only child, so I cannot pretend to understand. But as much as I loath to admit it, he's your brother and he needs you."

I smiled a little and stopped. I looked at my dad.

"Did you ever want brothers and sisters?"

"Once, but then I realized I didn't want anyone else to be raised by my father."

"Grandpa wasn't very nice, was he?"

"No, no he was not. He hit my mother. I don't know why she married him."

"Dad he's gone now. He can't bring anymore misery to you."

He smiled at me and I smiled back.

"I was always alone. Until I met your mother. She was my light, as are you."

I smiled again.

"Why didn't mum marry you?"

He sighed sadly.

"Never mind. Forget I asked. It doesn't matter either way. I still got you as a father."

He stroked my hair and nodded.

"Yes you did. And I love you."

"I love you too."

"Well, I'll leave you to your work."

I quickly hugged him before he left.