Year 3, Chapter 1:
The morning Calista was set to start her third year at Hogwarts, she didn't want to leave their home. Of course, home wouldn't be here much longer, not for her; they moved out every summer, and all of Calista's things were packed into her school trunk already, with the exception of a few books she didn't have room for, which her father was taking with him.
She wondered, actually, where he would keep them. She supposed he would put them in his study in his quarters at Hogwarts.
Severus paced impatiently in the kitchen; she could hear his footsteps walking back and forth, punctuated by an occasional sigh. "If we don't leave now, you're like to miss the train," he called, and she could hear the irritation in his voice.
"Can't you just teach me at home this year?"
"What? I thought you liked going to school. You have your new classes, and all your friends."
"What if my spell fails in front of Professor McGonagall? She said I'd have to go in a first year class if I couldn't do it. I'd rather not go to school at all than go back to first year."
"You'll do fine," he said, although he knew he did not sound nearly as patient as he would have liked; he hadn't been kidding. They were cutting it very close for time. "You've been practising all summer - you've got the needle, and you've been doing well with the ruler too. Now grab your wretched cat, and let's go."
She started to drag her things out of her room, and Severus narrowed his eyes.
"Why aren't you wearing your new robes, the ones Narcissa got for you?"
She flushed. She had put on the new robes at first, but she felt so foolish in them, like she was a hippogriff in a party dress.
"I… I like these ones better."
"They're far too short now, look. You can't wear those, they look ridiculous. Put the new ones on, and be quick about it."
"The new ones look ridiculous," she said, "On me, anyway."
"I assure you, they do not."
She rolled her eyes, but retreated back into her room. When she came out, she had the plainest of her new robes on, the ones that were all black. Because the style of them was such that the bottom front flared open when she walked, he could see that she still had her old trousers underneath. They were purple, and at least three inches too short.
His nostrils flared. Fine. If she wanted to look silly, that was her own business.
"Ready?" he asked, aiming his wand at her trunk, and levitating it.
"I guess."
They actually didn't live too far from King's Cross, but time was short, so he Apparated them both there, even though parents were advised not to, since so many people Apparating in and out of the station was likely to attract Muggle attention.
"Go on," he said, when they had reached the Platform, and porters had taken her trunk, and the crate her cat was in. "I'll meet you at school, all right? I have a meeting with the Headmaster; I have to go."
She nodded. Steam was already coming off the scarlet train. She supposed it would be worse to be standing here alone on the platform in her ridiculous new robes when the train left than to face her classmates in them, so she stepped aboard.
Most of the compartments were full already, but as she walked through, she heard someone calling her name.
"Calista! Come on, I've saved you a seat." She looked up, and saw Olivia waving to her from two compartments up, leaning out of the doorway. What if there weren't any other seats, and she had to sit with Olivia? Maybe she should have listened to her father, and gotten her things together earlier.
Then, she saw a flash of red hair in a compartment to her left. She turned her head, and saw Percy Weasley, with two girls in Ravenclaw robes.
"Hi, Percy," she said loudly, so Olivia would be sure to hear, "Mind if I join you?"
"Not at all," Percy was saying, but Calista was looking at Olivia. She saw a disgruntled sort of malice pass over the other girl's face, and Calista couldn't help but grin a bit to herself. She was so satisfied with having snubbed Olivia, that it took her a moment to realise Percy was still talking, and that the two Ravenclaw girls were looking at her expectantly.
"Sorry, what was that?" she asked.
Percy's face creased into a slight frown, but he introduced the two girls again.
"I said, Calista, these are my friends. Penelope Clearwater and Amelia Slater. They're in our year."
Calista felt herself scowl, then. She recognised Penelope and Amelia. They had Herbology together, and they weren't exactly friends. In fact, Calista had purposely been a bit rude to them ever since the first day of class their first year, when Amelia had made a snide remark about the new Slytherins not being very bright.
"We know her from Herbology," Amelia told Percy, in a cool tone of voice. "We don't talk, though."
Percy looked between the three girls, perplexed. Calista was still scowling, Amelia was wearing a look of mild distaste, and even Penelope looked a bit put out.
"Well," Percy said awkwardly, looking uncertain. It was an expression he didn't wear often, and Calista thought she didn't like it on him. "We're all in Arithmancy together, you know."
"We are?" Calista asked. "But we're in three different houses."
"Arithmancy classes are shared between all houses," Percy said, and he seemed to be gloating that he knew something about Hogwarts the rest of them didn't. "It's very complicated, you see, and Bill told me that a lot of the students drop it once they realise how much work it's going to be. The first few weeks, the classroom will likely be full to bursting, but it should thin out quite a bit by Christmas."
She nodded, and was glad for the sudden whistle of the train, so she didn't have to think of something else to say. Perhaps it was her imagination, but she thought she could feel Penelope and Amelia staring at her, like there was something wrong with her.
Then there was a commotion in the corridor between compartments, and the sound of someone saying "ow". A few seconds later, a Hufflepuff with hot pink hair stumbled into the compartment where Percy, Calista, and the two Ravenclaws were standing around, looking at each other uncomfortably.
"Oh - hello, then. Mind if I pop in with you lot while I get myself settled?" Nymphadora Tonks asked, bending down to rub her knee. "Damn near missed the train - my trunk spilled open all over the platform, and I had to scramble around picking it up. I still think I missed some of my quills, but it's better than missing the train, eh?"
"Yeah," Calista rushed to say, because at least Tonks was another person she'd been friendly with, "I mean no, we don't mind."
Tonks lifted the hem of her robes, and the leg of a pair of bright plaid trousers underneath, to look at her knee. There was already a blooming purple bruise there.
"Of course, I tripped on the steps on my way into the train," she said, "Honestly, I don't know what's wrong with me."
She released her clothing, and straightened up. "Hey," she said, and she grinned. "I've just realised, we've got someone from all four houses in here, now. That's pretty wicked, right? In a good way, of course," she added, glancing at Calista, almost apologetically.
"What's that supposed to mean?"
"Nothing, I - sorry, I'm just as clumsy with my mouth as everything else. I just meant… well, usually Slytherins keep to themselves a bit, don't they?"
"Maybe that's only because everyone expects us to," Calista said, glancing crossly at Amelia. "Maybe if we didn't get called thick on the first day of school just because we're in a certain house, we'd be a bit friendlier."
Amelia glared back at Calista. "What was that look for? I never called you anything."
"You did too," Calista said, "At the end of the first Herbology class. You said 'The Slytherin students get thicker every year'."
"What are you talking about? I never said - wait a minute. Are you talking about first year?"
Percy looked pleadingly at Penelope, who touched Amelia's elbow; Amelia threw her off, and narrowed her eyes at Calista.
"Me and my mouth," Tonks muttered, stubbing the toe of her trainer into the floor in front of her.
"Are you seriously carrying a grudge against me for something I said in first year? Is that the reason you're always giving Penny and I those nasty looks in class? Like you've never gone and said something stupid when you were eleven?"
"It was my first day," Calista said, accusingly.
"Yeah," Amelia said, rolling her eyes. "It was mine, too. I can't believe you're holding that against me."
"Well," Calista said uncertainly, "You could have apologised or something."
"I forgot all about it," Amelia said, "How was I supposed to know you'd take it so seriously, and still be upset about it two years later - which isn't healthy, by the way, you should know that. Right, Penny?" and she looked to Penelope for clarification.
Penelope lifted one shoulder, in a delicate shrug. "I wouldn't have let it bother me so long," she said uneasily.
"Right then," Tonks said, precisely in the awkwardest moment of the ensuing silence, "Anyone up for a game of Exploding Snap?"
Calista looked at Tonks, who looked as though she wished she'd picked a different compartment to stumble into, and at Percy, who was looking distinctly uncomfortable. She looked at Penelope, whose jaw was clenched anxiously. And then she looked at Amelia, who was glaring at her still.
"That look," Amelia said harshly, "That one right there, that's the one you're always shooting us in class."
"Oh," Calista said, realising that she was indeed scowling. "Oh, you mean the same one you're giving me right now, then?"
"I-" Amelia started, then opened and closed her mouth. Her eyes locked with Calista's and the two glared at each other.
"Wow," Tonks remarked, "It's true. You both have the exact same look, just now."
Calista couldn't help it; the corners of her mouth twitched, and she pressed her lips together, trying to suppress a crooked smile. But Amelia was doing the same thing, trying not to break her angry expression, but losing the battle.
Tonks and Penelope started laughing, and then Calista and Amelia did, too.
"All right," Calista said, when her laughter had more or less subsided, "Fine, then. We're both insufferable." She borrowed her father's favourite word for her. It was funny; he used it of her so often that she secretly felt it was sort of a good thing, although by now she knew that, strictly speaking by the dictionary, it wasn't.
"Oh, good," Tonks said, sounding sincerely relieved, "Are we all friends, now?"
Amelia glanced around at each of them in turn, and made a show of folding her arms and rolling her eyes. "Fine," she said, sounding as if it were anything but. "But I'm not insufferable."
"How about that Exploding Snap game, then?" Tonks suggested again, but Penelope wrinkled her nose.
"I'd rather play wizard chess," she said.
"I agree," Percy was quick to interject. He had his regular, slightly arrogant bearings back, now that the girls seemed to done arguing..
"Well, only two of us can play that at a time," Amelia pointed out, "And since I'm insufferable, I'm going to insist on playing the first game. I want to play against Sn-er, Calista."
She smirked, not quite meanly, but in a manner that could definitely be taken as a challenge.
Calista frowned, and felt herself blushing. "I don't want to play," she said shortly.
"Afraid you'll lose?" Amelia said, grinning loftily.
Calista scowled at her, which made Penelope giggle softly, and nudge Percy.
"Go on then," Penelope said, "I want to see how you play."
"I'm not playing," Calista said again.
"Why not?" Percy asked, "It's brilliant fun; don't tell me you don't like it."
Everyone was looking at her, except for Tonks, who looked put out at the very suggestion of wizard chess.
"Well," Tonks said, "If that's what you lot are going to do, I think I'll head up the train and see if I can catch up with my friends - er, my other friends, I mean - I'm lousy at chess." She affected a very casual look at Percy. "Say, Percy - d'you know where Charlie's at?"
"I suspect he's with the other Prefects up front," Percy replied, "Or else he's with the Quidditch team."
Tonks nodded, and headed for the exit. "I'll catch up with you lot later, then, yeah? Maybe at the first Quidditch practise - think we could use ice cream, instead of hot chocolate now, though. Maybe I'll suggest it to Charlie."
She left, and then it was quiet in the compartment. Amelia looked at Calista, an open challenge still visible in her eyes.
"Well?" she pressed, "Are you scared, or what?"
"I've never played, all right?" Calista growled. "Play without me."
"Are you serious?" Percy asked, just as Penelope said, "Is that true?"
"Well, have you ever played regular chess?" Amelia asked.
"No."
"Oh," Penelope said, "This won't do at all - we'll have to teach you. We all play chess."
"It's an excellent hobby," Percy agreed, "It focuses your mind; sometimes we play on study breaks, too. You'll love it, you'll see."
Penelope and Amelia played the first game, while Percy chattered at her about the rules. Calista thought he made it more confusing than it had to be, with all of his extra information.
He said things like, "Oh, I wouldn't have made that move - she'll take Penny's knight, yes, but if Penny brings her rook there, you'll see, in a turn or two, Amelia's bishop will be trapped - it's a much more valuable piece, I wouldn't make that sacrifice," when Calista was still trying to figure out which way the pieces moved.
It did look fun, though, she had to admit. She wished she was already good at it, so she could play, but she wasn't about to lose soundly to either Amelia or Penelope, when she was still a bit miffed about the comment about Slytherins being thick; she didn't want to make them think they'd been right, after all.
"Penny's queen has two options now," Percy was saying, "She can knock off the other knight, but then she's out in the open and Penny will need to be much more careful. Or, she can-"
"Will you shut it?" Amelia snarled, glaring up at Percy; her ruddy complexion was a bit redder than usual. "She can figure it out on her own, she doesn't need your bloody commentary every second."
Percy frowned. He glanced at Penelope, a blush rising to his cheeks.
"It does make it difficult to concentrate," Penelope admitted, though she softened her words considerably more than Amelia had.
"Well," Percy said, a bit fussily, "I was only trying to help."
Penelope won that round, which Amelia promptly blamed on Percy's distracting play-by-play. Penelope set the board up for another round, and Percy settled across from her to play.
"I'm not going to go easy on you just because this is a demonstration," Percy warned.
Penelope smiled lightly. "I don't need you to go easy on me in order to thoroughly trounce you," she said.
Amelia rolled her eyes, and plopped herself down on the seat next to Calista.
"I hope you weren't planning on doing anything else in this train ride,
she muttered, "Because these two take forever. After every move, they have to congratulate each other on how clever they both are. Very politely, of course."
Calista glanced over at the game.
"Ah," Penelope was saying, "That's quite a good move; I'm not sure what my next one should be, now."
"Nonsense, Penny. I'm sure you have the next three planned out meticulously, no matter which moves I make," Percy said.
Calista raised her eyebrows, and glanced at Amelia.
"Told you," the other girl said, fluffing her brown hair impatiently. "They'll be at it until we get to Hogwarts."
(¯ˆ·.¸¸.·ˆ¯)
"All of that seems to be in order," Albus Dumbledore was saying, as he neatened a stack of papers on his desk. They had just finished going over some last minute changes to the curriculum for Severus' sixth and seventh year NEWT classes, based on the material on the most recent exams. "And I trust you'll meet with your new Prefects sometime during the first week of term, and fill them in on the details my letter this summer did not."
Severus nodded. "I will."
"Then it seems the only matter left that we need to discuss is that of the Time Turner applications from Slytherin house," the Headmaster said, and he withdrew a folder from the stand to his right.
Flipping it open, he put his finger on the top form. "The ministry rejected Mr. Logan's request," he said, "They feel he's incurred too many disciplinary actions. They are, however, willing to revisit the application on appeal if he can get letters of recommendation from three professors besides his Head of House."
Severus nodded. "I'll let him know."
"Miss Farley's request has been approved, I trust you'll explain all of the details and restrictions to her."
"Of course."
Neither decision surprises him, really; Dennis Logan was a fairly good student, but was routinely in detentions, and Gemma Farley was a Prefect this year, and was both a good student and a good role model. He had expected the Ministry to approve her request, and probably to deny Mr. Logan's. The one he was truly curious about was a bit more personal though, and the Headmaster addressed that next.
"Calista's application was rejected as well," The Headmaster said bluntly. "I don't have to tell you, I think, that the Ministry generally rejects students who have achieved below par scores on any of their year-end exams."
It sounded as if the Headmaster had more to say, but Severus inserted his response into the pause, anyway.
"I'll tell her," he said, "Did they say whether she can appeal this year, if she brings her Transfiguration marks up, or whether she needs to wait for next year to apply again?"
Dumbledore sighed, and met Severus' gaze directly. "She can't reapply," he said.
Severus frowned. "Very well. That's… disappointing, but I'll encourage her to try again next year, once she's caught up in Minerva's class."
"Severus," the Headmaster said, "I'm afraid the Ministry doesn't want Calista to reapply at all."
"Why not? She's a good student, for the most part. I know she has had some detentions, but if Mr. Logan can reapply, then surely…?"
Dumbledore removed a sheet of parchment from the folder that was open in front of him, and held it out to Severus.
To Whom It May Concern,
The Ministry of Magic is in receipt of an application for a Time Turner, to be used expressly and exclusively for the purpose of attending additional classes beyond which time would normally allow at the Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry, for one Calista Snape.
We must regretfully inform any and all interested parties that the Ministry declines Miss Snape's application for a Time Turner, now and at any future point in time.
Although we recognise Miss Snape's above-average achievements in several classes, most notably in the subjects of Potions and Charms, it is the practise of this body to systematically deny all requests submitted on behalf of students who underperform significantly in any given subject. Miss Snape's exam scores in Transfiguration bar her from obtaining a Time Turner under this provision at this time.
Additionally, it is our duty to inform any and all interested parties that Miss Snape has been barred from being considered for any future Time Turner requests. It is the Ministry's opinion that granting possession of such a powerful magical device to anyone who is a direct blood descendant of a person or persons currently incarcerated in Azkaban prison would present a situation of potential danger as such to be considered unadvisable. As Miss Snape's mother, Bellatrix Lestrange, is currently serving a life sentence in Azkaban, Miss Snape is subsequently barred from possessing such an artifact, and any future requests to do so will not be considered.
Thank you for your understanding and cooperation in this matter.
Sincerely,
Saul S. Croaker
Time Keeper
Department of Mysteries
Ministry of Magic
"This is grossly unfair," Severus said, unable to keep a snarl out of his voice. "Calista shouldn't be judged on the basis of Bellatrix's actions. She's a child, not a murdering sociopath."
"It so happens that I agree with you," Dumbledore said, "But I cannot overrule the Ministry of Magic."
"I don't understand. Bellatrix is in Azkaban, so how can she possibly benefit from Calista's having a Time Turner? It's not as though she was just arrested yesterday, either. Do they seriously fear that Calista's going to turn time back seven years, to somehow prevent her mother from being arrested?"
"I believe that is precisely what they fear," Dumbledore said, "You and I know Calista would not choose to do so, of course, but the person or persons making this decision do not."
"They could find out," he snarled, "They could talk to her for five minutes, and realise that she's suffered at Bellatrix's hands as much as anyone. Bellatrix could have received a life sentence for what she did to Calista alone, had anyone been aware of it."
"I completely understand your frustration, Severus," Dumbledore said, maintaining a calm demeanour, even while Severus himself was glowering. "But let us not forget that Bellatrix was once able to take partial control of Calista's mind and body, here in this very castle. Of course Calista would not choose to aid Bellatrix, but perhaps she could be forced to do so."
"No," Severus said, "We've removed the memory Bellatrix was exploiting, and besides, Calista's come a far way in Occlumency since then, and I believe she can counter any further attacks of a similar nature. Even if, for some reason, she couldn't, she always tells me when she dreams of Bellatrix. If she were under attack again, I would know it, and could stop it."
"The Ministry is not even aware of this potential complication, so it cannot have been factored into their decision," Dumbledore told him, "I only brought it up to illustrate the notion that Calista does not have to be a willing accomplice to the device being abused. The Ministry may not be passing judgement on Calista by refusing to permit her a Time Turner; they may simply have adopted this blanket policy to prevent children of prisoners from being targeted by the imprisoned's former associates."
"How am I supposed to explain this to her? It isn't enough that most of her childhood was destroyed by Bellatrix, but now her academic career must suffer because of her as well?"
"I can explain it to her, if you wish."
"No," Severus said firmly, "If she's going to hear this news, I at least want her to hear it from me."
"Very well. I do apologise, Severus."
The younger man nodded curtly, and placed the sheet of parchment on the Headmaster's desk, before turning and striding from the office.
(¯ˆ·.¸¸.·ˆ¯)
When the Hogwarts Express let them off, Calista joined Percy, Penelope, and Amelia in one of the carriages that was lined up, waiting for them.
"These carriages are driven by thestrals, did you know that?" Penelope said as she climbed in. "Only someone who's seen death firsthand can see them, though, so most students assume the carriages are self-propelled by magic, or are driven by horses with a particularly good Disillusionment Charm on them. I'm sure a good deal of the Professors can see them, of course."
"I can see them," Calista said, and all three of them looked at her in surprise. She didn't suppose there was any harm in telling them, because she had already told Olivia, and it wasn't like she had to tell them precisely why she could see them, anyway.
Besides, after the train ride, where all three of them had eagerly tried to show her how to play wizard chess, she rather wanted to know something that none of them did.
"What do they look like?" Amelia asked.
"They're quite bony," Calista said, "With great big wings, like a bat's, only much larger. They're sort of lizard-looking in the face, too."
Penelope wrinkled her nose. "Not very cute, are they?"
"They're all right," Calista said, "I don't think they're very vicious, or they wouldn't be pulling students, would they?"
"I suppose not."
"I sort of wish I could see them," Amelia said, "But then, I guess I'm glad I can't, considering." She looked at Calista, who was surprised to register kindness on the other girl's face.
Percy and Penelope were looking at her too, and she was glad that none of them were quite looking at her with pity, although Penelope's expression was something close to it.
"We'll all be able to see them eventually," Percy said matter-of-factly, after several seconds had gone by. Calista was grateful for that, because it seemed to allow them to change the subject.
"I'm a bit nervous about Arithmancy," Penelope said anxiously, "I've heard that Professor Vector is quite strict, and gives more homework than anyone else."
Percy nodded seriously in agreement. "I've been thinking of drawing up study schedules already," he said, "For all of my classes, actually. Third year is when everything really starts accelerating, and I need to be certain I'm on top of all my classes from the beginning."
"Hey," Amelia said loudly, "I have an idea. Let's all make bets, the first day of Arithmancy, on which students we think will drop the course. Whoever gets the most right will win something, maybe a Butterbeer at the first Hogsmeade weekend, or something."
"That doesn't sound particularly kind, Amelia," Penelope said, uncertainly.
"Maybe not, but it does sound like fun," Calista said.
"I agree with Penny," Percy began, and Amelia poked Calista in the ribs.
"He always does," she muttered under her breath.
Percy cast her a brief frown, and continued, "I don't think it would be in the spirit of cooperation and mutual respect for our fellow students."
"Come off it," Amelia said, "You're not a Prefect yet, Percy. Live a little."
Calista grinned. It turned out Amelia wasn't half bad, after all.
"Yeah," Calista chimed in, "Have some fun. Unless you're just afraid of losing."
"I am not-" he began, but then the carriages were pulling up to the castle, and the rest of what he said was drowned out in the general activity. They poured out of their carriage along with everyone else, and streamed through the Hogwarts gates.
"I'm starving," Amelia said, "I hope the Sorting song is short this year."
Calista stopped short, a few steps inside the gates. Her father was standing there, and his eyes picked her out of the crowd, as if he had been waiting for her.
"Dad?" she looked up at him, questioningly. "What's going on?"
"Come with me," he said, "There's something I need to speak with you about."
"Am I in trouble already?" she asked, alarmed, "What can I have possibly done?"
"No," he said, and he placed his hand on her back, between her shoulder blades. "Although I do have to wonder why that is always the first conclusion you draw, whenever you see me unexpectedly."
"Dad," she said, as they separated from the crowd, and walked a bit alongside of it, "I think that's everyone's first conclusion when they see you unexpectedly."
After they had taken several more paces and he had still not reacted to what she said, she frowned.
"Something's wrong, isn't it?" she asked, "You never let me have the last word with something like that."
"I'll explain once we're inside my office."
"I'm getting really worried," she said, "Can you at least tell me what this is about?"
He sighed. "It's about your timetable," he said, and that was all she could get out of him until they reached his office.
When they'd gotten there, he sat down at his desk, and she in the chair across from it.
"I've just met with the Headmaster about your timetable," he said, and he met her gaze directly. "Calista, I'm afraid they won't give you a Time Turner."
She frowned, and then shrugged. "Well, I guess we knew that might happen, right? I'll just try really hard to catch up in Transfiguration, and maybe I can get one in a few weeks."
He leaned forward. Maybe he should have started this conversation in his study, he thought. Now that they had begun it, he felt strange about being on the opposite side of a desk from her. He stood up, walked around to the front of his desk instead, leaned against the front of it while facing her.
"Calista… I've been informed that the Ministry does not think you should ever be in possession of a Time Turner."
He said the words as kindly as he could, but how could you gently tell someone that they were being unfairly judged for the actions of another?
"What? Why not?" Her expression was blank. He could not tell if it was deliberate, or if she simply didn't yet know how to react to what he was telling her.
Severus couldn't quite keep a note of anger out of his words; he hoped she knew it wasn't directed at her. "They seem to be of the opinion that you would use it to free someone from Azkaban."
Calista's eyes went wide, and then narrowed abruptly. "Are you serious?"
"I'm afraid I am. The same governing body that has several offices dedicated to diluting a stigma against Muggles evidently takes no issue with applying a stigma to a thirteen-year-old witch because of her parentage, knowing nothing else about her."
"That's ridiculous," she managed, and he could see now that she was shocked; her face was paler than usual, and something in her eyes indicated she didn't quite want to believe him. "I'm the last person that would ever want her to be free. How could they think I would…"
She trailed off, and for an instant, Severus thought she was going to cry, but then her expression cleared, and her jaw set firmly, eyes going hard.
"I take it they're not going to let me appeal their decision, then?"
"No, they won't."
"So is this some kind of rule," she asked, keeping her voice steady only with considerable effort, "Or does it only apply to me?"
"Supposedly, it is a rule," Severus answered, "Although it is not one I've heard of before. They claim that it is Ministry policy to deny anyone who's a direct descendant of a current Azkaban prisoner."
"I can't possibly be the only one who's ever applied…?"
"You may be, in my time here," he said, "I can't think of any others, at least not from my house, that have applied. Last year, one of my N.E.W.T. students was considering applying for a Time Turner, but elected to drop a couple of classes, instead. If she had applied, theoretically she would have been denied as well, under this discriminatory policy."
He put a slight emphasis on the word, in an attempt to make his feelings on it clear to his daughter.
"It's a stupid rule," Calista said hotly, "I'm not her. I would never help her."
"I know."
"So that's it, then? I just… can't take the classes I want to?" she said, savagery creeping into her voice. "That's fine, she probably hasn't ruined enough of my life already, let's let her have this bit, too."
Severus' jaw worked. "I wish I could change this for you," he said, "Or even tell you that it's the last time you'll be unfairly judged. Unfortunately, you're likely to face things like this again and again, especially given which House you're in. There are many out there who admire ambition, so long as it's cloaked in red and gold. When it's the ambition of a Slytherin, though, suddenly it's sinister."
"Wait. Are you saying they might have let me have one if I was in Gryffindor?"
"Obviously, I don't know that for a fact," Severus said, "But let's just say that I wouldn't find it terribly surprising if that were the case. Nevermind that one of the Dark Lord's most notorious followers was a Gryffindor; everyone conveniently forgets about that."
"Can we… can we ask the Malfoys for help?" Calista ventured, "Aunt Narcissa told me that Lucius is on the Board of Governors."
"I'd already thought of that," Severus told her, "Lucius has some sway with certain departments of the Ministry as well, but the decision comes from the Department of Mysteries, and they don't answer to much of anyone."
Besides, Severus didn't relish his daughter owing Lucius anything. It would be just like him to help her out, and then, five or ten years down the road, declare that she owed him something for his help. He'd known Lucius to call in favors in just such a manner more than once.
"So which classes can't I take, then?" she asked, setting her face into a stubbornly blank look.
"As it stands now, you have Care of Magical Creatures at the same time as Remedial Transfiguration, and Study of Ancient Runes at the same time as your extra Potions lessons."
She looked stricken. "But I really want to take those classes," she said. "I've already read half of one of the books for Ancient Runes. I can't… I can't not take it, I've been looking forward to it since I was eight."
Severus knew it was true, knew that she'd been curious about the subject since the days when he'd read to her from his books in the evenings, and he'd been resolved dragging her bodily from that section of the bookstore when it was time to leave for three years, now.
"I will see what I can do," he said, "Perhaps I can let you off of extra Potions lessons for a little while, until flying lessons or remedial Transfiguration are done."
"I like those Potions lessons," she said.
"It's the only one of those things that I have any control over." He sighed. "I'll do what I can. I wish I could give you more than that, but I can't. Are you all right to go to the feast, or would you prefer that I have something sent down here for you?"
"What are you going to do?"
"My presence is required at the start-of-term feast," he said, "As it is, I've likely missed the Sorting; I'll probably have to make an appearance in the common room later to properly meet and congratulate the new Slytherins."
"I guess I'll go too, then."
They walked to the Great Hall together, separating only when Calista went to take a seat at the Slytherin table, and Severus continued on to the High Table.
The Slytherin table was quite full, and the only seat Calista found was by edging onto the bench among a crowd of younger students she didn't recognise; they must have been the new first years. She glanced down the table for Olivia, surprised that the other girl wasn't brainwashing the first years, turning them to her side right from the first day, like she had done the prior year.
When she spotted, Olivia, her stomach clenched uncomfortably. She was sitting among the fourth years, right next to Marcus Flint, and laughing at something he had said. She tossed her head prettily, and although Calista couldn't tell for sure if it had caught Marcus' attention, it certainly caught his friend, Derek Logan's. He was on the other side of Marcus, and he leaned forward, to catch Olivia's eye, and grinned at her, in a manner that Calista supposed was meant to be charming.
A voice at Calista's left cut through her glowering; she shifted her attention to the person it belonged to, an olive-skinned first year with wide eyes, and a tentative sort of half-smile on her face.
"Sorry, what was that?" Calista asked.
"I was asking what year you're in," the girl said.
"Third," Calista said, and then remembering that she was supposed to be helpful to the new Slytherins, added, "Uhm, welcome to Hogwarts."
"Thanks," the girl said, "I'm really excited; I've been counting down the days until my Hogwarts letter since I was five. I'm especially excited for Potions. It was my dad's best subject, and he thinks it will be mine, too. Professor Slughorn was here when my dad was a student, though. Do you think Professor Snape is any good?"
Calista smirked crookedly. "As a matter of fact, I think he's brilliant."
The younger girl smiled. "That's a relief. My mum and dad will be glad to hear it. Mum's best subject was Herbology, mind you, but she knows I've been looking forward to Potions. I'm Sofia Lima, by the way, and across from me is Alex Sykes, and Evangeline Selwyn. Eva and me have been friends since we were small, but we just met Alex on the train."
Calista glanced across the table, at Sofia's fellow first years. A pointy-faced witch with dark hair and hooded eyes nodded a greeting to Calista at being introduced, and a skinny blonde boy looked a bit like he wanted to be rescued. Another first year girl sat on his other side, though she was in conversation with a couple of what must have been the other first year boys.
"She's a third year," Sofia confided loudly to Eva and Alex, not giving Calista a chance to say a word, "She says the Potions professor is brilliant, isn't that great news? You know I was worried about it on the train, because I'd heard so much about Slughorn, and nothing about this new one - but I think my parents will be pleased, after all, once I tell them what -"
She paused, and looked at Calista curiously. "I'm sorry," she said, "What's your name? I forgot to ask."
Calista bit her bottom lip in an effort to rein in a smirk. Then, she licked her lips once, and answered in a very clear voice.
"Calista," she said, "Calista Snape." She put a mild emphasis on her surname.
Sofia's dark brown eyes went even wider. "Oh - oh, that makes me feel silly. You're related to the Potions professor, then?"
"He's my father."
Alex snickered from across the table; Calista glanced at him, prepared to be irritated, but he was clearly laughing at Sofia's expense, not hers.
"Ten minutes," the other girl, Evangeline, spoke up, rolling her eyes at Sofia. "That's how far into term it took you to get us in trouble."
"I'm sorry," Sofia said quickly, "I didn't mean - I'm sure your father is a brilliant teacher like you say, I just didn't know…"
"It's fine," Calista said, and both girls looked relieved. "Don't worry about it. You'll see for yourself that he's a good teacher, as long as you don't fool around in class."
"Oh, of course," Sofia said quickly, and Eva nodded her agreement as well.
"What happens if you fool around?" Alex asked, leaning forward.
"You don't want to find out firsthand," Calista said, deliberately injecting an ominous note into her voice, "Let's just say, a melting cauldron will be the least of your worries."
The three first years exchanged a look, and Calista stifled a smile. Well, that had proven a good distraction from her own problems. She filled her plate, suddenly realising that she was hungry.
Sofia peppered Calista with questions about the other professors, the grounds, and what felt to Calista like nearly everything else under the sun, while she ate. Normally, she supposed she would have been a bit annoyed, but at least it kept her from thinking about the conversation she'd had with her father, prevented her from obsessing over which classes she'd be forced to drop.
What if I have to drop Arithmancy? she thought wildly, during a lull in their conversation, while Alex tried to catch the attention of the other boys in his year, and Sofia and Eva both chewed their own food. What if that blasted Amelia bets I will, and then she wins? I'll never live it down.
"Is that the Bloody Baron?" Evangeline leaned forward to whisper to Calista.
Calista glanced up, saw the Baron patrolling the length of the Slytherin table, measuring up the new first years.
She nodded. "Yeah, that's him. He won't bother you much, unless you get on his bad side."
Sofia looked alarmed. "How does one get on his bad side?"
Calista glanced up again, made sure the Baron wasn't close enough to hear her. "Well, no one knows until it's too late, now do they?"
Sofia and Eva shivered. Calista stifled another smirk. "I wouldn't wander the corridors late at night," she added, in a sudden inspiration, deciding that if she was going to amuse herself by teasing first years, then she might as well impart some actual wisdom to them.
"A ghost can't actually hurt you, can it?" Alex asked, briefly distracted from trying to get the girl next to him to switch seats.
"That depends on your definition of 'hurt', doesn't it?" Calista replied loftily. "Can they physically touch you? No, perhaps not, but they can make you feel freezing cold, and haunt your bedroom while you try to sleep. The Baron is known for clanking his chains and moaning in the middle of the night, to frighten anyone who passes by."
All three of them looked apprehensive, and Calista felt a small twinge of guilt. "Of course, none of that is likely to happen to you, as long as you're where you're supposed to be," she added, "Ghosts are forbidden from haunting sleeping areas at any time and classrooms during the day. The only time you'll have a problem is if you're out of bed alone at night, and even then, believe me, that blasted Caretaker Flich is a hundred times worse than any ghost."
The feast ended, and all the plates were cleared. The Prefects from each House started to round up the first years, to lead them to their respective common rooms. Calista stepped aside, to let them all pass, electing to wait until the crush of younger students had passed to trace her own way to the dungeons.
When most of them had gone, she rose, and started to exit the Great Hall. Gemma Farley, a fifth year Prefect, was motioning for the last of the first years to follow her. Alex Sykes tacked himself on to the end of her group, along with what looked like two of the other first year boys. Calista followed a short distance behind them, her thoughts turning to the issue of her timetable again.
She felt someone on her heels; she turned her head, and saw that she was being trailed by Sofia and Eva.
"Uhm," Calista said, quickening her pace, "You're supposed to follow the Prefects."
"I know," Sofia said, "But I wanted to ask you something else. And we're all going the same place anyway, right?"
"I guess so," Calista said dubiously, as the younger girls matched her stride. They walked on either side of her, all the way to the common room, continuing their conversation from dinner. When they reached their destination, Calista stepped inside, wondering how she had somehow wound up with two small, chattering shadows.
When the Prefects began their start of term speech, reiterating the rules the new students would have to follow, Calista had to extricate herself from them. "I'm going to my room to get ready for bed," she told them both, "But, uhm, have a good night."
"You too," Sofia said, brightly. "We'll see you tomorrow, yes?"
"Uhm," Calista said again, "I guess so."
(¯ˆ·.¸¸.·ˆ¯)
When Calista entered her dormitory room, she had it to herself for a few precious moments. Someone had already let Yellow out of his crate, and he was napping on Calista's pillow, curled up comfortably. He looked up when she entered, and began to purr lazily.
Calista flopped down onto her bed, and stroked the cat, who narrowed his eyes at the disruption, but settled back into a contented half-sleep when she petted him.
Then, there was a commotion at the doorway, and the other three third year Slytherin girls entered the room on a tide of dramatic giggles.
"And of course, he had nothing to say to that," Olivia was saying, smugly.
"He definitely fancies you," Emily said, and Olivia made a delicate, derisive little snorting sound.
"Of course he fancies me," she said, "But I'm going to make him simper and beg a little before I decide how I feel, of course."
"If you don't like him, I'll take him," Portia spoke up, grinning.
"Don't be silly, Portia, Derek's not going to fall for you. You can take Marcus Flint, and those horrible teeth of his. Unless Calista wants him?"
She raised her eyebrows, and looked over at Calista, who had been hoping they would forget she existed.
"Oh," Calista said, "Are we doling out people, now?"
"Well, we have to stake out the best boys, before everyone else does," she said, "I'm torn between Derek Logan and Colin Greengrass, still."
Calista snorted, not at all as delicately as Olivia had. "Colin won't get within twenty metres of you," she said, "Not since you dosed him with that love potion, and had him acting like an idiot in front of the whole school."
"Well, I was twelve," Olivia said haughtily, "I'm a whole lot more mature now, and I'm sure Colin will see that, as well."
"Whatever you say," Calista said.
"Did you enjoy your train ride with Weasley?" Olivia sniffed, as if she were asking Calista if she had enjoyed sitting next to a pile of dung on the train.
"He was a lot better company than you would have been," Calista said, "Let me guess how things might have gone in your compartment: 'Oh, Calista! I missed you this summer, let's pretend to be great friends for two weeks again, before I stab you in the back and try to get you expelled! Won't that be grand?'" she finished in an exaggeratedly high-pitched voice dripping with sarcasm.
Olivia flushed. "You're insufferable, Calista Snape."
Calista grinned. "Thank you," she said, and Olivia and Portia exchanged a bewildered glance.
"You're mental, too. That was supposed to be an insult."
"Girls," Emily interjected tiredly, "Come on, it's the first night of term. Can't we try and get off to a good start this year?"
"I am on good terms," Calista said, "She's the one throwing names around."
"She's the one who started it," Olivia said frigidly, and although she was talking to Emily, it was clear that her displeasure was aimed at Calista. "I've only tried to be nice, saving her a seat on the train and everything, and she has to go and bring up -"
"The fact that you tried to get me expelled last year," Calista snarled, interrupting her, "Isn't that what you were about to say?"
"You have no idea what I went through, when you ran to your father and tattled on me," Olivia hissed, through clenched teeth, "Do you even know what he wrote home to my mother? She threatened to send me to a horrible, pathetic little all-girls school in the middle of nowhere."
"And maybe if you'd gone there, you wouldn't be trying to hand out all the Slytherin boys like they're Cauldron Cakes," Calista snarked.
Olivia rolled her eyes. "Honestly, you are such a child sometimes, Calista. I don't have the patience for this anymore. Forget I ever tried to talk to you."
"Gladly," Calista said, laying down on her bed with finality, and turning her back to the other girls. Yellow hissed at her, and leapt off the bed.
Olivia, Portia, and Emily nattered on amongst themselves for a few more minutes, before all of them went to bed, and someone turned out the lamps in the room.
"Goodnight, everyone," Emily said softly into the darkness, but no one answered her.
"By the way," came Olivia's voice when Calista had nearly fallen asleep, "I like your new robes, Calista."
Calista pretended to be asleep.
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