 caffeine princess ♬ lunchbox adventurer ❀ little rose
Professor Slughorn's Office: August 19, 1996
Late that next night, Ava lay in bed trying to fall asleep. It seemed like everything was trying to keep her awake. The wind was blowing the leaves on the trees outside, the light of a few lamps still flickered. Even the summer moonlight shone through the open window and fell at her feet in a puddle. It seemed like everybody was awake. She needed to get up.
Crawling quietly out of bed, the twelve year old opened the bedroom door and crept down the stairs. She peered around the corner, and only set off out of the office when she was sure the Headmaster had retreated to his study. Ava descended the stairs quickly, careful not to slip on her too-long pajama bottoms.
The girl climbed one flight of stairs after another, after another, after another, unsure of where exactly she was going. The castle was dim and empty at night. Even the portraits were sleeping. But it wasn't long until she arrived at the door to Professor Snape's old office.
Ava knocked quietly on the door twice. There was no answer. "Professor?" she asked, pushing open the door. "Hello?" A large figure wrapped in an elegant robe appeared from behind a corner.
"Miss Pierce!" Professor Slughorn said, surprised.
"Sorry to bother you sir, I just--"
"What are you doing up at this hour? he asked. The man looked down at the girl's feet. "And with no shoes!"
Ava grinned sheepishly. "Couldn't sleep."
The Professor nodded. "I've been having trouble myself. Here, take a seat and I'll see what I can whip up," he gestured to an overstuffed arm chair before setting about gathering potion ingredients and setting a cauldron over the fire. They sat in silence for a few minutes before Professor Slughorn returned with a small vial and a cup of tea, and sat down in the armchair across from her.
"That ought to do it," he said finally. "Go ahead and take it now, it takes a little bit to kick in." He poured the vial's contents into the tea and handed it to her. Ava took the cup in both hands and took a few gulps of the warm liquid. It smelled of peppermint.
"I don't suppose we've had a proper conversation until just now then," Professor Slughorn added.
"I suppose not," Ava agreed, setting down her tea.
"Dumbledore mentioned your mother had passed. I'm truly, very sorry."
Ava shrugged. "Thanks."
"What did she do? I might have known her- many of my former students do grow up to fill big shoes in their professions," he stopped to let her answer.
"She didn't do much actually. Mostly stayed home with me until she was admitted into St. Mungo's," Ava answered quietly.
"Of course, of course. I'm sorry to press you, it's hard loosing a parent," Professor Slughorn said sincerely. "You're father certainly turned out to be quite something, he always was an excellent--"
"You taught my father?" Ava interrupted. It seemed to be a habit she was developing.
Slughorn inhaled cautiously. It was clear he'd already said too much. "Well, yes. But I've taught lots of students, you have to remember I'm not as young as I once was," he said with a sort of forced chuckle.
"I think it would be best for you to head back up to bed, Dumbledore must be wondering where you've run off to." |