Adult-FanFiction.org : Harry Potter

Walking Lines (working title)
By : xcrystaldragonx
Category: Harry Potter AU/AR > General
Views: 3412 -:- Recommendations : 0 -:- Currently Reading : 0
Disclaimer: FULL DISCLAIMER IN FIRST CHAPTER
Chapter List
- 3
- 4
- 5
Chapter 3: Hogwarts
Two weeks.
For fourteen days the annoying chit had avoided being alone with him, always seeming to slip away to her room or help with another member of the Order at just the right moment. She did not tiptoe around him and watch with dislike and fear in her eyes as he would have expected and he was finding the reality of it to be very grating. Whenever their gazes happened to meet, she merely smiled brightly, her brilliant blue eyes glittering and disappeared to another part of Grimmuld Place. She had to know he was furious for her actions all those days ago, but soon she would not be able to avoid dealing with him and his retribution.
Now, here he was, cloistered away in his dungeon office, preparing for the newest arrivals to Hogwarts, including Selena Argyle. He wondered which of the houses would be granted the 'honor' of hosting her for the next two years, but from what he had read of her file, which Albus had given him and the other Heads of House, he expected either Ravenclaw or Hufflepuff. He was leaning more towards Ravenclaw with each page he read, her list of accolades was considerable and his dark eyes stopped when he reached her area of special study. This would explain her initial reaction to him that first evening and he could see that her grades easily qualified her for his NEWT level classes. That would make things much easier.
However, the days of waiting had forced him to analyze the American's behaviors, leaving him to wonder what really lay behind those too-blue eyes and what sort of game she might be playing. He was guessing that she had some fey blood in her somewhere, otherwise she would be of little use in hunting for the sithen. It was obvious enough that there was a brain in that pretty little head and a dangerous predilection to playing with volatile situations. He wondered how soon it would be after she arrived that he would be able to pin a detention on her. The thought brought a smug smirk to his hawk-like features. Glancing to the mantle clock, he saw that the welcoming feast would begin in a very short time and he rose from his desk, settling his robes with a practiced move of his shoulders.
Stalking the torch-lit corridors, he made his way to the Great Hall, entering through the faculty door and allowing his gaze to sweep the room. Already the second through seventh years were seated and awaiting the arrival of the new crop of first years, the soft murmur of countless conversations filling the air. McGonnagal was speaking with Dumbledore near his place at the table, holding the scroll scribed with the names of those soon-to-be Sorted, her face clearly a little distressed. The old wizard merely smiled at his Transfiguration instructor and patted her shoulder, gesturing to the far end of the room. The Scottish witch shook her head and departed the room, ready to prepare the next generation of Hogwarts for their introduction to their classmates.
Sliding into his seat, Snape watched as the Gryffindor Head exited, still dimly wondering where Selena would be placed. His eyes easily found the Golden Trio at their table, all looking toward the main door in anticipation of the incoming group, the normal thoughts of his dislike for them beginning to bubble within. He wasn't sure if it was their innocence or stupidity that rubbed him the wrong way, but luckily he would be avoiding Weasley this year, leaving the know-it-all Granger & Potter in attendance on his NEWT level class. He knew that was no surprise, and sometimes he felt she should have been a Ravenclaw, for her grades were among the top in the whole school. At least then he could have shown a bit less dislike for her, but there was very little room for Gryffindor's in his purview of things. Surprisingly, the green-eyed pain-in-his-backside had done well enough to attend his class, but hopefully without their third, actual learning might be done. He doubted it, trouble sought the boy out and would until he, or the Dark Lord, were dead. It was for Lily, he worked so hard to protect the child she had brought into their world, but he did not make it an easy job. Of course, it didn't help that he was the spitting image of James Potter.
The sound of the Great Hall doors opening halted his thoughts and the conversations around the room. A moderate sized group followed the tartan-clad witch inside, the requisite amount of awe and fear showing in their eyes as they moved over those gathered around. Confidant smiles, assessing glances, welcoming grins and sly looks met the unsure newcomers, all waiting to see what House each would be sent to. What surprised him was that Selena was not with them, only vaguely listening as the ceremony began, the tattered Sorting Hat chanting his song, telling of the founding and warning against too much dissension within the Houses. Only in the past couple of years had the magical construct warned that only the strength of unity would protect the school from danger.
As the last boy made himself comfortable at the Hufflepuff table, Dumbledore rose and raised his hands to quiet the budding conversations. Knowing the old wizard with his flair for dramatics, Snape sighed as his intuition was confirmed, the old man's eyes almost glowing with delight, “Now that the official Sorting has finished, I have the pleasure of announcing that there will be a transfer student joining our sixth years. She is quite the individual and has asked that she be allowed to introduce herself in her own way. If I may, please welcome, Selena Argyle of the Salem Witches Academy.”
With that final word, all of the floating candles illuminating the Great Hall extinguished, leaving the room nearly black, save for the dim light shed by the moon and stars that shown through the enchanted ceiling. It took Snape a moment to realize that the sound of running water was beginning to fill the room, music swelling into a crescendo as a figure that had not been in the room before appeared beneath a spotlight of warm yellow light, a student cloak shrouding them from head to foot. At the next measure, the person, whom he had no doubt as being Selena, whipped off the hood and flipped her robe off to land across the Sorting Hat and its stool. and began to sing and move down the center of the room.

We're a thousand miles from comfort, we have traveled land and sea

But as long as you are with me, there's no place I'd rather be

I would wait forever, exalted in the scene

As long as I am with you, my heart continues to beat

With every step we take, Kyoto to The Bay

Strolling so casually

We're different and the same, get you another name

Switch up the batteries

If you gave me a chance I would take it

It's a shot in the dark but I'll make it

Know with all of your heart, you can't shake me

When I am with you, there's no place I'd rather be

N-n-n-no, no, no, no place I'd rather be
By this point, she had returned to the slight dais that the head table rested on, all eyes on her. Selena's eyes moving over the instructors with a grin of enjoyment on her lips as the music continued its club beat. Swaying her way to the end farthest from him, she took up the song again, keeping the tempo as she passed, tapping and dragging her fingers over the slick tabletop, inexorably heading for the opposite end and him.

With every step we take, Kyoto to The Bay

Strolling so casually

We're different and the same, get you another name

Switch up the batteries

If you gave me a chance I would take it

It's a shot in the dark but I'll make it

Know with all of your heart, you can't shake me

When I am with you, there's no place I'd rather be

N-n-n-no, no, no, no place I'd rather be

When I am with you, there's no place I'd rather be

Hmmmmmmmmmm, hoooooooooo

Be, be, be, be, be, be, be, be, be

Yeah-e-yeah-e-yeah-e-yeah-e-yeah, yeah, yeah
If you gave me a chance I would take it

It's a shot in the dark but I'll make it

Know with all of your heart, you can't shake me

When I am with you, there's no place I'd rather be

N-n-n-no, no, no, no place I'd rather be
When I am with you, there's no place I'd rather be
As she finished out the song and the music smoothed to its close, Selena pulled her cloak into her arms and bowed her head to the house tables, the surrounding candles relighting at the last note. It only took a moment before the entirety of the student body began to cheer and shout their appreciation. Raising from her bow, he could tell from her posture that she was pleased with the performance. He had already known that her voice was easily able to carry a tune, his mind drifting back to the day he had discovered her in the shower. But, even he was impressed by how much talent she actually revealed in the past few minutes. Few moved with such confidence and joy as she showed her soon-to-be peers and the staff during the song.
It took some bravery to pull off such activities and he felt a sinking in the pit of his stomach; she might be Gryffindor. With that thought, Dumbledore came to stand by the seated young woman, a smile on his face as he raised one hand to silence the roaring of his charges, “Miss Argyle will be with us for this year and the next, so now we will find out what House will host her. If you would, my dear?”
Pulling the tattered relic from beneath her cloak, Selena placed it on her head and all watched and waited silently. One minute, then two passed, people beginning to look at each other with confusion, the only sound being hushed whispers springing up here and there. It never took this long for a Sorting, but in a voice that almost sounded relieved, the Hat called out in its booming voice, “Slytherin!”
It took him a moment to realize that his own house had been chosen, that fact stumping him as to what random elements had been added with this charge to his House. The Sorting was very rarely wrong, so he would have to believe that she held the beliefs and qualities that characterized those of the Serpents. His eyes watched as the house table applauded extra loud as Selena descended to join them, taking a place offered by Draco Malfoy, many of the other students seemingly disappointed in the young woman's placement. She seemed as comfortable with the scrutiny being paid to her now as she had the night she had been introduced to the Order. Few introductions were made before the Headmaster raised his hand for the final announcements.
“In addition to hosting Miss Argyle, Hogwarts has been invited to participate in the International Wizarding School Quiddich Tournament. There will be tryouts open to all students late next week and the best from all the houses will be chosen to represent us at this prestigious event. With that, let the feast begin!”
Absently picking at his food, he watched as the student body began to roll the news about the tourney and their newest classmate amongst themselves. Selena answered questions and replied with a poise he could see even from here. He also noticed that Pansy Parkinson was shooting daggers with her eyes as Draco gestured toward the Head table, causing Selena to look his way. Her sparkling eyes found his immediately, a slight smile touching her lips as she bowed her head to silently acknowledge him. Remaining stern, he nodded once and she returned her attention to those around her, answering a question further down the table.
When the meal was over and prefects had led away their respective crops of first years, the rest of the students beginning to filter out to their respective dormitories, Selena was called by Albus to the dais. Draco followed slightly behind, his gray eyes moving over her generous curves with blatant want, having pawned off the Slytherin first years on Pansy Parkinson. Circling the table, he smoothly and silently moved up behind the young man and dropped a hand on his shoulder. The annoyance on the boy's features evaporated once he saw who had halted him, “Is there something wrong, sir?”
“I see you have already shown interest in our new addition,” he answered, glancing as the young woman spoke with the Headmaster and the gathered staff. A half-smile briefly touched his lips at Draco's slow nod and lightly renewed leer, “Why don't we find out more about her first, hm?”
Together they joined the group, Albus turning with Selena to face them, “Ah, and here is your Head of House and Potion Master, Professor Snape.”
“It is a pleasure, sir, I hope you will find my addition to your House a welcome asset,” she greeted him, her smile holding a trace of the amusement she likely felt on that afternoon, but her voice and demeanor still respectful.
“Welcome to Slytherin, Miss Argyle,” he spoke in return, his own tone and demeanor just as formal, but his eyes showing his still simmering anger over the towel incident.
It almost looked as if her smile got brighter, her cerulean eyes gleaming as she looked at him, before casting a look at Draco and then turning back to Dumbledore, “So, where will I be staying?” she asked, crossing her arms and cocking her head to the side, one hip thrust out impudently.
“Ah, yes! Severus, will show you the way to the picture just near the entrance to the dungeons; its a beautiful portrait of black roses. Your rooms are there.”
That brought Snape up short, “She is to have private quarters?”
“Of course,” answered the elder wizard, smiling fondly at Selena. “She is sensitive to the thoughts and feelings of those around her and requires a certain amount of solitude to keep her mind clear and focused.”
Wondering just how sensitive she was, he only nodded, “As you say, Headmaster. Come with us, Miss Argyle, and we shall get you where you need to be.”
Together, the three Slytherins made there way towards the dungeons, Draco pointing out various directions to their new arrival. Snape was sure she knew her way about, thanks to her connection with Albus, but she took the time to ask enough questions of the young man that she would not raise his suspicions. It was not long before they found themselves standing before a tall portrait of a wrought-iron trellis, covered by the deep green tendrils of countless velvet black roses. Selena sighed when she looked at it, her eyes softening briefly before turning to look expectantly at him, “How do I get in?”
Before answering her, he turned to Draco, “I wish to speak with Miss Argyle privately. Go on to the common room and I will bring her shortly.”
The boy nodded and shot a knowing smirk at her before disappearing down the stairs which heralded the transfer to Slytherin domain, leaving the two of them in the silent hallway. When he was gone, Selena looked at him, her eyebrows raised in silent question and slight confusion. Ignoring it, he raised his hand and pointed to one of the empty rosebushes in the background of the picture, “Touch there.”
A soft sigh and rustle disturbed the air as the bush bloomed beneath the young American's fingertips, one rose snaking down to join its brethren around the trellis. She brushed the new bloom just as lightly and a seam appeared down the center of the picture, parting like a set of double doors to reveal a small room containing a single oak door, bound by two thick strips of iron. Moving forward, the lantern mounted on one side of the door lit with warm golden flame, chasing the darkness away from the small entryway as she grasped the large ring to open the portal. He briefly wondered why Albus chose to house Selena in these chambers as he walked in behind her.
“Oh, wow,” he heard her softly breathe as the lamps and candles situated around the room lit, revealing the decently sized sitting room to their eyes. Now he remembered why it had been such a popular haunt for Slytherins who desired privacy outside their designated areas for meetings and trysts with those out of house. The décor was unchanged from his days as a student and the rooms had fallen from use by the time he had returned as a teacher, but obviously Albus had sent the House Elves to clean before her arrival.
He felt a brief pang as he watched her turn a full circle in the center of the room, reminded of another redhead seeing it for the first time, long, long ago. Just as much enjoyment showed on Selena's face as had been on her's that night. It was before the fateful day that had changed the course of both of their lives, leaving him here, alive, while she was gone. She had never looked at him the same way again. Shaking aside the fleeting memory, he heard a fluttering behind him and a large shape flew very near his head to enter the room.
The breeze of its passing caught his hair and pulled it into his eyes, interfering with his identification of it. He caught that it circled the room, coming to rest on the worktable situated opposite the entry. A staccato 'CAW' told him it must be her familiar, Nightshade, returning to his mistress.
Sweeping aside the errant strands, Snape watched the American walk to the large raven now perched proudly on top of one of the piles of books resting on the table. He caught the glint of silver encircling its ankle as it relinquished the vellum clutched in its slender claw, peering at him with obsidian-bright eyes as he walked closer. Setting aside the coiled correspondence, Selena proceeded to scratch the bird gently on the head, his beak clicking lightly and its eyelids dropping shut in obvious pleasure. Now that he was closer, he could see that it was a fine specimen, large and glossy with immaculate feathers and that dark red rubies were mounted in the silver band that encircled its right ankle.
Finishing her attentions, Selena tapped its beak lightly, making the bird look at her, “Nightshade, you will be on your best behavior for this man. None of your foolishness. Understand?”
The avian again regarded him, its flinty gaze unwavering, eventually cawing and bobbing his head once. Smiling, she offered a strip of dried meat, which was taken with a flutter to a perch on the mantle and quickly disposed of. When he had finished, the raven ruffled his feathers and tucked his head beneath one wing, clearly setting in for a nap. Selena gazed fondly at the wad of black feathers and he caught a brief glimpse of her unguarded emotions; deep pride and love for the creature. Tucking the observation away in the slowly growing mental file labeled, 'Selena A.' stored in his brain, he crossed his arms and looked archly at her, “What do you have to say for yourself, Miss Argyle?”
“I was merely keeping my word, sir,” she answered, knowing exactly what he was referring to. Starting to peruse her surroundings, her investigation brought her to the doors that led to the bedchamber and she flipped those open. Glancing over her shoulder, he saw a touch of daring in her eye as she continued, “You could have waited for it, but you chose not to. Not my fault.”
A flash of what he likely missed that day skittered through his mind. There was no way she could have put any clothes on before the cinnamon and sandalwood scented towel had enveloped his head and blocked his vision. She had to have been naked in that hallway and did not seem bothered by the fact. He couldn't help but notice her shape now, tapered and sleek beneath the simple sweater and skirt of a student, her blood-red hair trailing down in soft waves to brush her waist. Shaking his head he frowned, “Such things are inappropriate at best and I do not expect a repeat of it here. Do you understand me?”
“Absolutely, Professor Snape,” she answered, stalling her exploration into the bedroom. “Things are quite different here and I know the part I am to play. I can only hope your dislike for me doesn't run too deep, sir.”
“Other than your behavior prior to arriving here, I have seen no reason to dislike you. I have also read enough of that tome, which Albus calls your file, to know that your areas of special interest are Potions, Herbalism and Magical Creatures. Clearly you are working for the certification of Potion Mistress and if you had been Sorted to any other House than my own, I would happily have avoided you. But as it is, you have been and your accomplishments are commendable.”
That brought a small smile of relief to her face, but he continued before she could speak, “For the next week you will spend three hours working with me in the school labs. Look on it as 'unofficial detention' for your behavior at Grimmuld Place.”
“I am supposed to search for the sithen on the weekends; will gathering materials for you on those days be acceptable?” she asked, surprising him with her readiness to try and negotiate terms.
Understanding the need for concession on that point, he nodded, “That is agreeable. I will draw up lists of what is needed and send them to you.”
Selena nodded in assent, crossing the room to the vanity to pick up the silver and green tie that would declare her affiliation. Slipping it into place, she deftly twisted it into a proper knot and briefly primped her hair, smiling at her reflection. He could see an underlying excitement and joy in her and wondered what would be the thing that snatched it away. He watched as she straightened her robe and turned back to him, “Anything else before its time to meet the rest of my housemates?”
“Nothing that cannot be addressed later,” he replied, heading back to the main door. “Now, follow me and I will take you to the common room.”
“Yes, sir.”
*~*~*
TBC...
A/N ~ Well, there you go... the latest installment of 'Walking Lines'. 'Stand Out' is copyright of Disney and Tevin Campbell; and for those that don't know, it was a song in 'A Goofy Movie” & I make no claim to ownership of any part of it. Sorry, but I was doing a shuffle session on my Win Amp and this song came up. As I was low on sleep and high on caffeine I couldn't help but picture Selena singing this to introduce herself. You readers have probably already figured out that she is a show-off, but I want to have fun with this story and decided, why not? Big thanks and hugs to jujukitty again for reviewing!!!! I'm super stoked that your enjoying it; anything you would like to see happen? Rather Be is owned and copyrighted by Jess Glynne & Clean Bandit. This song did not exist when I first wrote this fic and I like the sentiments that it can offer to Selena's character... :) Anonymous reviews can be left, as I would like to hear from any and all readers, so please review/rate for my plot bunnies crave food and attention! Until next time! Take it easy!! TCQ
- 3
- 4
- 5
You need to be logged in to leave a review for this story.You need to be logged in to leave a review for this story.
Report Story

Walking Lines (working title)	By : xcrystaldragonx Category: Harry Potter AU/AR > General Views: 3412 -:- Recommendations : 0 -:- Currently Reading : 0
Disclaimer: FULL DISCLAIMER IN FIRST CHAPTER

Walking Lines (working title)