"The Mental Mentorship" (Snape/Vector)

[galleon]

This is my very first fanfic and also the end. Well, sort of. This is the last chapter of The Mental Mentorship. I loved this and had so much fun and laughs but the story needs to move on. Fortunately for Vector, Snape can not be her mentor forever. Also, on a muggle note....this thread has gotten so long that now it takes forever to load when I try to go on my own thread. I take that as a sign.

Please see the end of this chapter/ the bottom of my thread for COMING ATTRACTIONS...(I really do have too much time on my hands this summer )

And now here it is.....without further ado... presenting...the end of THE MENTAL MENTORSHiP

Some time has passed (in order to make a transition in my fanfic gameplan) and Septima is now a full time arithmancy professor....this is also a cliffhanger, sort of, (you can find out why on the bottom.) Also, for the final chapter we need some special guests to do this right, end it properly, go out with a bang. We will have a cameo appearance from the Malfoys.


(Sniff sniff) I can't even type this. Maybe some spin offs down the road.

I would love to hear some feedback

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Also, my Snape/Gilderoy icons need to show up for one more time on this thread. Fellas, come on down! /

CHAPTER 18: DRAGONS AND DUNDERHEADS

Severus had told me about the Triwizard Tournament some months ago when he was still my mentor( which, by the way, did I mention he is no longer?) I celebrated for a week. I owled friends and family. I sang from the top of the Astronomy tower and scared Sinistra to death. And come to mention it, the Bloody Baron avoided me for several days as well. Er, anyway. I will tell you more about that triumphant day, AKA the happiest day of my life) a little bit later.

So, before I got side-tracked. Our conversation about the Triwizard tournament sounded like this....

**************************************

A FRIDAY AFTERNOON - THE LAIR OF DOOM - AKA SNAPE'S OFFICE

"Before you do me the honor of leaving my sight, remember you have to meet me at 6:00 a.m. tomorrow," said Snape.

"Snape, tomorrow is Saturday."

"We have work to do, Vector. A task. You do know what that is? I require your assistance for the Triwizard Tournament. Unless, you were slumbering during the staff meetings, Dumbledore has briefed everyone about their responsibilities," said Snape testily.

I paused for a second and continued..."Does this fall under "mentorship" duties,"? I asked innocently.

"Yes, I believe it does," snapped Snape. "You will be representing my House, of course."

"I have just the green dress....."

"Good, not the usual get up."

"I happen to like....."

"Well, dress appropriately, Vector. I would hate for the dragons to fall ill."

"Dragons?....WHAT!" I yelled.

"Oh, not our part," said Snape impatiently. We will be in the stands. I will say no more."

*************************************************

FOUR HOURS LATER - THE GREAT HALL

The climb up the stairs took forever. While I was heading back to my rooms I ran into Snape. I have no idea what he was doing standing around the Great Hall. Maybe he didn't fill his quota for the month for deducting House Points?

Anyway he approached me in the Hall and I told him that I needed to get my books from my rooms. He said he would walk with me and we could talk on the way.

Being gentlemanly? Hardly. He probably just wanted to get out a few extra insults today.

I stand not to be corrected.

"Do not forget, Vector, 6:00 a.m. sharp. By the way, I'll wait here. Get me the vials you tested."

We had made it to the door of my rooms. I'm glad he said it because there was no way I was inviting him in for tea.

********************************************

THE TRIWIZARD TOURNAMENT - FIRST EVENT - DRAGONS

I met Snape at 6:00 a.m. on the morning of the first event as well. Dressed in green I thought I looked like a muggle doormat. Snape barked some orders but he avoided my eyes. I guess he was feeling the stress of the extra work we had to do for the tournament. I had no problem ignoring the twin pools of evil. We worked for a few hours until it was time to approach the stands.

AT THE TOURNAMENT:

Snape was pleased with our work ( which means he didn't complain). I overheard him tell Dumbledore that my anti-inflammatory potions were extremely effective. Never to my face, of course. Dumbledore grinned and said he would see us in the stands.

We sat with the staff members and the Malfoys. Even though I heard Lucius Malfoy was no longer a school governor, he still seemed to have some pull with the Ministry of Magic.

Snape seemed annoyed with me because I was terrified for the students, especially Harry Potter. Probably most of the younger members of the staff, like myself, had never seen a dragon. Let alone some of the most dangerous species there were.

I thought the tournament was barbaric. However, I would simply have to get through it.

When the Horntail blazed rings of fire at Harry and the audience in the stands I could barely sit still.

"I say, my good woman," said Mr. Malfoy in a very calm yet sinister voice. "What ARE you doing?"

When I finally realized I was being addressed I turned and saw several people in the stands looking at me funny. I was crouching. I could not bear the suspense. I also noticed that I looked ready to keel over the guard rail.

"Are you daft? The flames were near you, SIT DOWN!" said Snape with a tremor in his voice.

One blast of fire that got too close made everyone in our box duck and catch their breath nervously.

My nerves had got the best of me. I cold not stand this another minute. I didn't even realize that I had failed to take my seat.

Suddenly, I felt two rather strong arms about my waist and I was yanked back into my seat.

"Remind me, Vector, not to be seated near you again...not even at meal times..."Snape whispered into my ear.

As I tried to sit still in my seat, I realized that Snape's reaction was expert - just in time- for the flames had licked the guard rail again.

I then shuddered for I had absent-mindedly curled a small, white hand over Snape's much larger one that rested on his knee.

"That is my wand hand," Snape informed me. I hadn't felt myself grip it and squeeze it tightly.

He looked down at my hand for a few seconds - I am assuming he was repulsed. He looked as though he had just come into contact with bubotuber puss. He turned slowly to look at me and then quickly moved his head to watch the tournament.

It was I, five seconds later, that pulled their hand away. He was much scarier than the dragons. I'd risk it. It was no comfort to me anyway.

"Professor Snape," I asked demurely, trying to get on his good side. "What if someone is, er, injured?"

He ignored my question. "Are you quite finished bothering me to no end?" said Snape hastily.
"There are mediwizards, healers, and representatives from St. Mungo's. Also, a special burn unit is here for this particular task as well."

Lucius, his wife, Narcissa (aptly named) and several of Lucius' cronies were next to us but I had forgotten.

"Well, my dear," said Lucius. "To the death. That is the tournament, I am afraid. I daresay the risk one takes when one illegally puts their name in the goblet," he said curtly.

We were then interrupted.

The fire nearly got Harry and the crowd cried out. I nearly wet myself and stood up yet again - my hands over my mouth in horror.

"This is ridiculous," I shouted. I realized I was acting out so I slowly sat down and tried to remain silent.

"Will I ever get to see this tournament in peace or must I babysit you?" remarked Snape.

I looked over at him shyly and a bit embarassed. "Well, let me be then," I said softly.

"Next time, Vector, I will." If I am very fortunate and the dragon comes near you again," Snape said in exasperation. I also noted a note of nervousness there.

In a fury, I spun my head to face him and the brown feather in my hat along with my hair whipped him in the face. I actually hadn't meant to do it, but Snape pulling some strands of my hair out of his mouth in disgust was pretty soothing.

"Where did you acquire those feathers, Vector? A creature that Hagrid rejected. Not up to par in the peril category?"

"Simpleton," I muttered.

"Actually, I think she looks rather charming." One of Malfoy's cronies had been eyeing me and I smiled gratefully.

Snape countered,"Ah, well I guess Vector is out to roost."

I did not care. In my green dress and tricorn hat with tulle, I had my hair piled up and my hat cocked fashionably to one side. I knew what I threw together didn't look half bad. I surprised even myself at times.

Harry had "Accioed" his firebolt broom and my lady-like reserve faltered. I stood up and so much for my description of the pretty picture I made, My hair streamed down my back and my hat fell off.

I turned around for a second and Snape was staring at me but said nothing when I met his eyes. Was it my imagination but I thought for a moment that he was taking me in with an appreciative glance?

Nope. The event had drained my last nerve...I had to be delusional.

I was then distracted when the people in the stands started pumping their fists in the air and cheering wildly.

I looked up into the sky and saw Harry Potter speeding on his broom and snatching the dragon egg effortlessly with one hand.

McGonagall and I clapped and yelled like madwomen!

"Well Done, Harry!"

************************************************** **********

Well, this is the end of my recollections of working with Professor Snape during my early years at Hogwarts when he was my mentor.

I had walked into Professor Dumbledore's office and he handed me a key to my new Arithmancy classroom and said I could keep it until I had devised a spell to seal my classroom when I wished.

He had hoped that my mentorship was a learning experience.(If he only knew.)

He also said that when the Arithmancy Professor retired, he took only a few valuable and mementos that were gifts or that he had collected over the years, everything else was to be left for my Arithmancy classes to be used at my disposable. I couldn't get over his generosity!

Dumbledore told me to enjoy the rest of my year and to never think twice about asking him or the other faculty members for assistance in the future.

And as I shook his hand and turned to leave....the words I still remember to this day....

"Professor Vector. I would like to call you back to my office in June before you leave Hogwarts for the summer holidays," his jovial manner had changed to one of the utmost seriousness.

"Yes, Professor. Call on me when I can be of service," I said. However, there was no denying that the atmosphere in the room had changed.

"Well, I think that you might be able to," said Dumbledore.

"What is this in reference to, sir, if you do not mind me asking?'

"I will let you know when the time comes. Hopefully, not before. For right now this is just between Fawkes and myself," he smiled. "Good Day, my dear and go out to celebrate your achievement. Have a fizzing whizzbee on me, " He pointed to a crystal bowl at the front of his office and turned his back to me to walk back to the Headmaster's desk.


THE END?

[galleon]

Well, this is the end and thank you to all the wonderful posters and Snapefic fans - I hope you at least got a few laughs even though I'm...

"Clearly not Shakespeare..."said Professor Snape.

" I think that will be all Snape. Thanks a lot."

Well, here are the COMING ATTRACTIONS for the sequel...

These are some of the characters and things we will see....

Vector at home in the summer, Sirius Black, Mundungus Fletcher, meetings, Remus Lupin, Sybil Trelawney, an assitant of Madame Pomfrey's, spying, The Hog's Head. and much much more. And surely a cameo appearance by Gilderoy Lockhart.

Disclaimer: I do not own, create, or hope to profit from the characters or Harry Potter books. Writing Snape fan-fiction for fun should be recognized as the addiction it most certainly is. I do not have a sickle to my name in the Gringott's vaults.

[galleon]

The Sequel to THE MENTAL MENTORSHIP

A TUMULTUOUS TENURESHIP

will be up shortly on a new thread

[galleon]

"Maybe a few spin-offs down the road."

Well, that road is here and not soon enough.

This is my first fanfic and my favorite and I was missing it too much.

"A Gift For a Hag" has the feel of this story, and I really wanted to post some more.

I looked through my notebooks and some of my material would only fit best here and fill-in this story.

Hence, "The Lost Chapters"

Coming sooner than you think


http://www.cosforums.com/showthread.php?t=93158 Please click here for the feedback thread for The Mental Mentorship - Thank you, Galleon

[galleon]

Professor Vector was under the impression that there are 60 minutes in an hour and when that time is up...

Lost Chapter A - "IT'S A BIRD... IT'S A DAME...IT'S...VECTOR TO THE RESCUE?"



"What are you saying, Snape?" I asked nervously.

"I would much prefer if you seated yourself away from me. Anywhere else will do," Snape replied curtly.

By the second event of the Triwizard Tournament, Snape would barely answer my questions. When I pressed him, he brought up my alleged "ruination of his viewing ability while waching the first event." I was quite a handful at the first event, but there were, after all, dragons present.

"WHAT DO YOU MEAN THEY ONLY HAVE AN HOUR?" I yelled in horror at him.

"Lower your voice," Snape hissed. "Such is the tournament." Snape would not meet my eyes. "Three rows back there is a seat next to Hagrid," he pointed out sarcastically.

"One of them is a little girl....what if they don't succeed?" I asked anxiously.

"Go! Now, Vector!" Snape said while rolling his eyes at me.

"Excuse me, please." I had told a few people seated next to me. I had to leave. My stomach was somersaulting and I felt sick.

I knew what lived beneath the water. Merpeople, grindylows, and Merlin knew what else! People said that Dumbledore had a rapport with some of them. I wasn't so sure.

I saw Fleur from Beauxbatons emerge from the water with no one. She was gesticulating frantically and shouting in rapid French to Madame Maxime.

I went over to a tree and bent over. I grabbed a branch to steady myself.

When I raised my head, I noticed that Fleur was trying to rush into the water and was being held back by her headmistress. A towel was thrown over her shoulders and she was screaming and pulling at her hair.

I had seen the darling little girl. All I could think of was the cute, blonde 8-year old drowning at the bottom of the lake.

When I saw none of the other contestants emerging and saw that 30 minutes had already passed, I decided to take some action.

I was going to jump in. Snape was not going to stop me. If he attempted to do so I would just hex him into next week.

"Vector, what in Merlin's name do you think you are doing?" Snape had approached the tree and was looking at me with interest and exasperation.

My hat was off and I had wisps of hair falling from my bun. I had thrown my cloak into a heap on the ground. My stockings and boots were off, and I had pulled my skirts above my knees and was preparing to charge.

Holding off plunging myself into the water for a second, I took my wand from between my teeth and answered.

"I realize that people die in this tournament, but I am not going to sit back and let a little girl die. I'm not sure what you would do, Snape, but I think I can guess. Don't try to stop me or else..."

"Vector, you are truly the most daft woman I have ever met in my life."

TO BE CONTINUED...

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[galleon]

Professor Vector attempts to come to the rescue but may need some help herself.

LOST CHAPTER B - SUPERLATIVELY STUNNED

"You will catch your death. The water is quite cold. Not that I would mind. I assume I should warn you as your mentor. However, it would have surely been ruled an accident...a bad judgment call on both our parts," Snape remarked matter-of-factly.

"But there is no need to do the extra paperwork,Vector. The Headmaster and the merpeople have assured everyone's safety."

I could feel my impatience with him imploding from within and the necessity to verbally articulate once again, as I usually did whenever I was forced to be near him.

"I fancy you think my impending death due to shock or emerging from freezing waters is amusing?" I demanded.

It then occurred to me that I had been a dolt for not realizing that not one staff member seemed concerned in the least. I didn't see McGonagall in a bathing suit or Dumbledore donning muggle swimmies. No matter. He still was not getting off scot free.

"The staff KNEW? As my mentor, were you not supposed to inform me? Was this information given when I left the meeting early to do that extra work you assigned me, and you conveniently FORGOT to fill me in? You bloody, evil..."

"Vector, you could make a goblin bet collector blush. I was quite entertained, much more than the last event."

"Quite entertained?" I yelled and began pulling my boots back on. "You are mental, Snape. Really, you are."

"After such a humorous display last time, why would I tell you? Considering what almost ensued..." Snape's lips twisted into a smirk.

I was fully dressed and preparing to leave when I shouted my last at him.

"How you are given permission to be within a foot of schoolchildren is beyond my comprehension!"

Snape turned to me and shot me his haughtiest look.

"Isn't everything, Vector?"Snape replied.

[galleon]

The newly hired Professor Septima Vector must start observing her mentor's classes before she may start teaching her own. If she survives the encounter that is.

LOST CHAPTER C - "STOPPERING DEATH"

I was tempted...quite tempted to just get up from my seat, turn on my heel, and march straight over to Professor Sprout's greenhouses....

There I would lift a full grown mandrake out of its pot....and die. Just die. Gratefully, and on the spot.

If I had to sit for another minute through one of Snape's start of term monologues I would do just that.

This tripe that he recycled and had used in every class that met with him this very day was undendurable. The man was so full of himself I could bear it no longer. Surely one of us would die. I knew I could not take much more of this today. I longed to check my ledger and make sure that Dumbledore had not scheduled me to observe Professor Snape the following day as well. Alas, the ledger was back in my quarters.

Be merciful, Merlin. I was a good sort. Take pity on me.
***************************

10 minutes later....


"Avada Ke---" I mouthed silently in a half-joking sort of way, raising my wand weakly.

"Wands away!" Snape said sternly. "I believe I had informed all of the individuals in this room that there would be no foolish wand-waving. Even you, Professor Vector." Snape's eyes bore into mine. The twin black pools never blinked.

No teacher should ever mock another one in front of a class. It undermines their authority. The git should know that. I was sure he did, not that he gave a thought of restraining himself and being professional. He made sure he pointed out how unprofessional I was. Snape believed certain rules did not apply to himself. The lousy swine.

However, I would not tolerate such foolishnes. Not even from Snape himself. Let him write me up. I'd rather clean cells in Azkaban than spend another moment with him as my mentor.

*************************

It was by the fifth class that day that I think due to fatigue and weariness, I found the routine quite funny actually.

Children sitting stock still and stiffly at their desks. Quiet, neatly folded hands. Their eyes staring up at Snape in rapt attention. The liquid on the floor under the seat of a first year's desk, quite small for his age, that could only be...

I raised my hand.

"Please elaborate, Professor Snape. On the contrary, we have on our hands quite the conundrum. An apt speech, however, you fairly contradict yourself on several points."

Snape slowly turned to face me.

"I fail to see a connection between the qualities of subtlety and exactness. Also, do you feel potion-making leans more toward an art or a science?"

I crossed my arms and gave him my full attention. I cocked my head to one side as if hanging on his every word.

"We have very little time left in this double. Any queries I could answer on my own time, Professor Vector." Snape shot me the look of death and addressed his class once again.

Snape went on about softly simmering cauldrons and some rubbish about senses being ensnared. That was when I knew it was my cue to rise once again...

I got up and clapped. The students who were either nervous or fearing for my sanity joined in. I wiped a tear that trickled down my face ( water from a goblet near my seat in the back of the room).

"So lovely, Professor. So moving..."

Snape had had his back to his class at this point in the lesson. He slowly turned to the back of the room once again.

He gave me a look that chilled me to the bone. The class looked at me as if I were a bit daft.

However, after almost three hours of his condescending nonsense, I no longer cared.

(To be continued...)

[galleon]

Professor Vector's day of observation is not nearly over, but she is quite convinced that she has already seen enough for one day.

LOST CHAPTER D - NO DUMB QUESTIONS ONLY DUMB POTIONS MASTERS

Snape was stopping every few feet to lurk near students' desks. He would then lean over the desktop of some unsuspecting child in a very intimidating fashion and ask them questions regarding potions ingredients.

Ah, how easy it is to call on random individuals and humiliate them publicly when one has already looked up the answers...and to do it to first years no less. Muggle psychologists may call it compensation, I would say that Snape was a nasty, greasy git.

I rolled my eyes and shifted in the hard, cold chair in the dungeons for what had to be the hundredth time that day. I implored for Merlin to kill me right there and then, I could endure this suffering no longer.

Snape finally paired the students up and instructed the partners to concoct what was in his opinion a "fairly simple potion to cure boils that any dunderhead could successfully brew." According to him he had done it on his first try as an eleven-year-old. According to the faces in the room, nobody gave a bloody..."

I turned away and stood near one pair who followed Snape's instructions almost to a "t".

I once again raised my hand high into the air.

"Professor Snape, they have stirred counterclockwise---twice. I see no difference. When did you claim the potion would turn a slightly greenish hue?" I smiled genially at him.

Snape slowly descended upon me and leaned over to whisper into my ear. I did not want the git that close to me but he didn't seem to pay attention to my gagging noises.

"Do not be a dolt. You, as I recall, are not enrolled in my class. If you are forgetting what you learned in beginners potions classes, I can offer you some remedial potions textbooks. Those girls have just made an elementary mistake. What is your excuse, Vector?" Snape sneered and then continued.

"I will have Charon, my owl, deliver the textbooks to your quarters this evening. For light reading---or when you lock yourself in your quarters at the appointed hours of lunch and dinnertime."

I blushed to the roots of my hair in anger and embarassment. As if the bloody git had nothing to do with that after the vampire rumors had reached the school my very first week at Hogwarts.

I returned to my seat, but not before picking up two stuffed badgers from a shelf to examine. Anything to pass the bloody monotony. I decided to act like a dolt then and there. I could have been doing arithmancy research. Actually, I wished he'd get stuffed and bother me no more.
***********************

20 MINUTES LATER...

I raised my hand. "Professor Snape, your talent for potions is undeniable. Clearly you are overlooked and underappreciated. Would you ever consider teaching Defense Against the Dark Arts?" I offered a sickly sweet grin. "Headmastership?....shoot for the stars, professor."

Snape looked taken aback but quickly regained his composure. The groups stopped talking and turned in utter silence to stare at the both of us. Clearly, they had heard the rumor...

Snape walked very slowly over to where I sat with the stuffed animals, put an arm on both wooden rests on my seat and gave me the look that Neville had described between hyperventilating when he passed me in the hallway the other day.

Snape said in a low, silky voice that was for my ears only,"I know a spell for dissolving appendages that I assure you not even Madame Pomfrey and a rather large bottle of skele-gro can counteract, Vector. You have been taxing me since you entered my classroom. I suggest you contain yourself and not raise that hand again...if you wish to keep it....that is."

Snape turned in a swirl of cloak and walked briskly back to the front of the classroom to address his students. He took his wand out deftly from an inside pocket and writing appeared on the board.

[galleon]

Sorry, I just posted and my post doubled.

Snape, I warn you, leave my thread alone!

[galleon]

A staff member comes to wish another one well...and the other tells them to go to....

LOST CHAPTER E - MOVING ON UP...

"Would you please, and with all due respect, GET THE BLOODY HELL OUT OF MY OFFICE!" I roared.

"Do you truly refer to this room as an office?" Snape looked lazily around my brand new office that Dumbledore had offered me when I began teaching arithmancy on my own. Only Snape could ruin a perfectly good day.

"I was under the impression that an office was an abode where one did work and actually accomplished something. What, may I ask, are you "appearing" to be working on? Researching "Gadding with Ghouls" is not up to par, PROFESSOR Vector," said Snape snidely.

"For your information, I am researching for my arithmancy lessons," I replied coldly.

"Hardly taxing work. Oh, is that what you call it? What exactly do you teach again? Not very useful in my experiences. Well, to each their own, Vector."

"Get out of my office, Snape." I yelled, but the dolt proceeded to ignore my rantings and my red face.

"Arithmancy. A certainly respectable discipline to most of the wizarding world. And a convenient, er, "cover" for not toiling or for people whom are...what does Hagrid refer to them as? Ah, yes, "duffers" said Snape uneasily.

Snape respected Hagrid silently. He had better. Hagrid always defended him and seemed to think Snape was a good sort, deep down. But Hagrid's lack of sophistication at times and, er, tact...and grammar, irked him greatly.

I remember the time that Snape and I were arguing in the hallway and Hagrid passed us...

'Lo Professor Snape, Professor Vector," Hagrid smiled and offered us a cheerful wave, almost knocking a line of Ravenclaws down a stairwell.

I smiled and waved back. Snape perplexed and horrified at the lack of proper pronunciation of the English language was taken aback for a moment.

"Er, 'lo, Rubeus," said Snape softly and mockingly, baring his teeth. He outwardly shuddered. Since everyone called him Hagrid he assumed Rubeus sounded more formal and therefore respectable in Snape's eyes. I guess. Either that or he was just an awkward fool.

I'd say he was just a fool.

"What do you want, Snape?" My mind had wondered for a moment but the nasty look I was getting from Snape broke my reverie.

"I am merely offering support to my co-worker," Snape said sincerely and not fooling anybody.

"No, really. Why are you here?" I snapped.

"For an inspection."

"Since when are you in charge?" I blurted out.

"I am here to warn you of any possible foolishness on your part, which is highly likely, as you embark on your first day of teaching classes---alone." said Snape. "It is a reflection on me...you were under my...tutelage," said Snape silkily.

"...yet you taught me NOTHING. Oh, wait, yes you did. Mental survival skills...and that I am a lot tougher than I thought," I informed him.

"Well, under my supervision then...I was, afterall, your mentor," said Snape matter-of-factly.

"As if I will EVER forget. WAS. Remember that...you WERE my mentor and ARE no longer. What WILL you do now with your time? My guess, is deduct more house points from undeserving victims," I chimed in heartily with my suggestion.

"How I spend my time is no concern of yours," spat Snape.

"How I spend my time, now that you are no longer my mentor, is not your concern either." I replied primly.

"I have a reputation to uphold, you deranged girl," said Snape darkly.

Snape sneered. His eyes glowed devilishly. I think he was losing his temper...and his touch. And me. My fear of him.

He glared back. I bit my lip. He sneered again. I stuck my tongue out at him, preparing to lift my hand and box his ears....It was then that Professor McGonagall walked in. She looked about curiously and stopped dead in her tracks.

Snape put down a pot of irises on my desk and swept out of the room.

I wondered where they had come from. The git was not holding anything in his hands a minute ago.

Minerva recovered and walked through the door.

[galleon]

During the week of the Gilderoy Lockhart Hogwarts Homecoming, Professor Lockhart seeks to relive the glory days of the Hogwarts dueling club, when Professor Snape was his assistant. By the way, did you know Professor Snape was his assistant? Surely, Gilderoy must have informed you at an earlier date.

LOST CHAPTER F - DUELING CLUB ALUMNI

"Let's have a go for old times sake, Professor Snape."

Several people cheered at the luncheon and Dumbledore nodded at Professor Snape urging him gently to not disappoint the guests. Professor Flitwick rolled his eyes and thanked Merlin that he was not called out by Gilderoy for that matter. However, he knew Lockhart had heard about his reputation and was not surprised.

Snape rose slowly and reluctantly.

"Prepare to defend yourself, Professor." Gilderoy smiled widely and turned to myself and Aurora. "This," he tutted, "will only take a minute."

Snape whispered into my ear. "I hear that published works tend to become more popular and widely purchased by----posthumous authors.

"Er, don't, er, hurt him too badly," I warned Snape fearfully. I had heard about the dueling club when Lockhart was employed at Hogwarts. I knew how Snape despised him and the title of "Lockhart's assistant."

"I suggest that you both move out of the vicinity of his wand," warned Snape over his shoulder as he approached the dueling platform. Aurora was about to protest and defend Gilderoy to Snape. We then both remembered the story of Harry Potter when Lockhart tried to cure his arm. She rapidly closed her mouth.

Aurora and I lifted ourselves slightly from our chairs and dragged our seats safely to a corner. Filius, Hagrid, and Minerva followed suit.

Snape slowly glided up the stairs of the platform, his dark robes billowing as he gracefully took each step. He stood there, glaring at Lockhart, his face expressionless but his eyes never leaving Gilderoy's. He waited patiently for Lockhart to cease his ridiculous antics and join him on the stage.

Gilderoy rose to a tumult of cheers and applause. He bowed, punched the air a few times, and then walked over to 2 elderly women who had moved their seats dangerously close to the front of the stage.

Gilderoy cracked his knuckles, did a few knee bends, and whisked off a lavender cape that he then made a great show of throwing to the 109-year old witch named Ethel. Aurora, almost jumped out of her seat, but Filius and I pushed her gently back onto her seat.

He then threw a flower from a table centerpiece to her friend, Edith, who happened to be 132-years of age.

The women squealed with glee.

Snape was still waiting patiently on the platform no doubt planning how to get away with homicide and still retain his postion as Potions Master, by cleverly making it look like an accident.

Well, I wasn't exactly sure of this. But the expression on his face was murderous.

He had looked over at a fidgeting Aurora and rolled his eyes for a second; scowl still firmly in place.

Lockhart passed his wand quickly back and forth between his hands a few times for effect, lunged and practiced exaggerated "en garde" stances a few times as if he was a cavalier brandishing a sword for King Charles II or at the very least a muggle extra on the "Zorro" tv show.

Only then did Gilderoy walk over to the platform.

"Be safe!" yelled Aurora frantically. She had seen Snape's expression as well.

Gilderoy winked at Aurora and walked jauntily over to Snape. Nose in the air, preening, and shoulders pulled back. They bowed to each other and exchanged a few words.

"I shall try to go EASY on you, Severus," announced Gilderoy. "But surely we can practice more advanced dueling techniques now that the children are not participating today," grinned Lockhart pleasantly.

"Oh, I hope you will....go easy on me," said Snape silkily. "Surely your reputation...preceeds you." However, I noticed that Snape had failed to draw his wand, as they turned to take 10 paces and then turned to face each other once more.

Gilderoy was swishing his wand and yelling out to the crowd and failed to notice how odd Snape's actions were. Everyone was so into Lockhart they seemed to not notice anything either. I knew Severus too well.

"We each get 3 tries to disarm our opponent," announced Gilderoy. "I will go first."

"Take note of my excellent display of wandwork," cried Gilderoy.

On the first attempt, Gilderoy waved his wand and nothing happened. On his second, his wand flew out of his hand and narrowly missed hitting Ethel, and on his third attempt it floated away.

"Yes, truly remarkable wandwork, Lockhart," piped up Snape."Quite green with envy, I must say. However, I believe it is now my turn," Snape wore a twisted smirk.

"And for our next demonstration, for the benefit of the guests, of course, I believe, Professor Lockhart, that I should next show them non-verbal dueling spells."

Snape addressed the crowd as Lockhart looked at the crowd and back to Snape. He was speechless for once.

"As Professor Lockhart explained, in our Hogwarts dueling club meeting....when I was his assistant...(Snape eyed Lockhart viciously but with a smile playing at his lips) we taught the students that a dueler has a slight advantage with non-verbal spells. The fact that their opponent, if not a skilled legilimens, may have no idea of what is about to come next. Am I quite right....Professor Lockhart?"

Snape stared venomously at Lockhart and I saw him fighting back a smile.

"Er, yes, that is correct, Severus," said Lockhart nervously.

Snape slowly raised his wand and brought it down in front of him...


***********************************************


The team of mediwizards broke through the crowds again. However, it was for Lockhart himself this time and not his swooning fans.

Severus Snape, quite contrite, apologized to the crowd. The wand had a tendency at times to get overexcited. He sincerely hoped that Gilderoy Lockhart would be okay.

He would be most disappointed if Lockhart had to leave unexpectedly but surely he was always welcome at Hogwarts.

[galleon]

...in which Professor Vector seeks to discover the whereabouts of Professor Snape.

LOST CHAPTER 6 - LOCK

"What seems to be the trouble?" I asked.

"Professor Snape," answered a third year.

When is he not? I thought glumly.

"Well, why are you not in the Great Hall enjoying the Valentine's Day festivities?" I had to ask.

"We want to, but I am supposed to see Professor Snape about extra help and Michael should be in detention with him, but he is not answering the door. We keep knocking but it's no use," replied one of the third years.

"Maybe he is not there?" I lied.

"No, he is. Charlotte saw him enter his office an hour ago."

"Why would he not answer the door?"

The children shrugged.

"Go back to the Great Hall. I will try to contact Professor Snape and then I will send someone to fetch you."

"Yes, Professor."

I flooed over to the git's office. Snape was sitting at his desk marking papers.

"Snape, did you not hear the students pounding on your door?"

"Yes."

"What? Why didn't you answer?"

Snape pointed slowly to a wooden calendar on a shelf near his desk. "Do you realize the date, Vector?" he asked raising an eyebrow.

"Yes, it is February 14," I informed him.

"Precisely. Excellent, Vector! Now if you could just remember what year it is, I would say you are making progress," Snape said sardonically.

"Very funny, Snape" I retorted.

"Not to mention by the looks of Sinistra's get-up at lunch she has no concept of what year it is either."

"Leave her out of it, Snape!" I shouted in annoyance.

"My pleasure," he smirked.

"So, although you are usually holed up in your office....why have you locked your door?"

"I wish not to be disturbed----obviously," he rolled his eyes at me. "I do not intend to venture out of this office until tomorrow."

"What is tomorrow?"

Snape sighed in exasperation. "I retract my statement regarding you earlier. The 15th, Vector," Snape said impatiently.

"What about the 15th?"

"It is the end of Valentine's Day. Are you daft?"

TO BE CONTINUED...

[galleon]

In which Professor Vector gets to the bottom of things and Professor Snape bottoms out...

LOST CHAPTER H - STOCK

"...and what, pray tell, besides the fact that you are an uncaring, unfeeling lout, do you have against Valentine's Day?"

"A most unnatural holiday, I would imagine, Vector. I absolutely refuse to participate with the rest of you fools," snapped Snape.

"Have you, er, ever had a valentine, Snape?" I had to ask.

"No, nor do I ever intend to," grimaced Snape looking quite ill.

"Quite right, who will have you?" I mumbled to myself.

"Speak up, Vector" said Snape impatiently.

"Nothing. So...what is it that irks you so regarding Valentine's Day?" I was curious even though I had my suspicions.

"I never liked it and this continued right up until that blasted fool Lockhart...No. I utterly detested such goings-on. I will not leave this office until it is quite through." Snape said with finality yet looking quite agitated.

Some people fear Voldemort, others fear dementors, dragons, and such. But it occurred to me that Snape feared Valentine's Day just as much. I tried to stop an onslaught of uncontrollable laughter that I feared would burst forth from my mouth. I did the best I could. There really was something wrong with him.

"So, that's what this is about? (giggle, I couldn't stop the laugh, Snape gave me a piercing look so I continued) Can't you just ignore him?...oh, loyal devotee of Defense Against the Dark Arts?" I teased. However, Severus did not seem to find this as highly amusing as I did.

"Yes, Vector, I can and so does McGonagall and Flitwick. However, Lockhart and Valentine's (cringe) Day can never seem to leave US in peace."

"Really, Severus...I know they are no fans of Gilderoy but really...how bad could it have been? I heard about the year he was at Hogwarts for Valentine's Day."

He looked at me and raised an eyebrow evilly. It was quite scary and I was a little taken aback for a moment there. "Wold you really care to know?" he said slowly.

"Yes. Yes, I would," I replied.

"Well, I shall tell you then. Please sit, Vector. This will take awhile."

[galleon]

I decided to bump this up so all 3 can be on the same page for a bit.

I will still post Mental Lost Chapters as well.

Thanks again.

Galleon

[galleon]

In which Professor Snape shares an unpleasant memory with Professor Vector...

LOST CHAPTER I - ....AND BARREL

The trip through the pensieve was disconcerting. I had heard of such magical devices but had never seen one. They were very rare and usually passed down among upper class wizarding families or those fortunate to obtain them by some means. I didn't want to know how Snape had managed to acquire a pensieve. When he didn't offer any information I decided not to ask.

I blinked a few times as I entered the memory and turned to Snape. However, he ignored me and was looking ahead at the Severus Snape from his past memory.

Severus Snape from the memory was standing at the entrance to the Great Hall. A few students who were entering through the double doors behind him cautiously managed to not make any accidental physical contact with their Potions Professor. From Snape's expression it wasn't difficult to discern why.

The scowl which appeared on his face was not new to me, only intensified. What Snape did next, however, was truly unnerving. He did not move. I believe the shock of the recently decorated Great Hall was too much for him and he seemed fixated on what he observed. After a long moment's pause, he took his place quickly at the teacher's table. As he stepped onto the dais I thought his chair was a goner.

The Snape standing next to me wore a similar scowl, but I turned from him to look at the sight I could barely take in myself.

Hot pink roses were blooming from the walls where they sprung. They managed to drop petals on to the students that tried to navigate their way around them to finally reach their House table.

The Snape at the table and the one next to me looked physically ill as they took in the room. A smirk and narrowing eyes graced the countenance of the Snape at my side as the dark eyes took in a giddy Gilderoy Lockhart who entered the Great Hall wearing blushing pink robes. I saw Snape's wand hand twitch near a pocket of his robe that concealed his wand.

"Snape, it is a pensieve memory. Surely you realize..."I started without finishing as he slowly looked at me yet said nothing.

Clearly he became overwrought as he relived his memory and forgot that time and distance had separated him from the foolishness of Lockhart.

Of course the jerk would never admit it to me! But how could an apparently speechless Severus do so anyway. The silence continued.

I turned away to look at the teacher's table and misery was ever present there as well.

Heart-shaped confetti in many shades of pink flowed freely from the pale blue ceiling of the Great Hall in profusion and apparently without any sign of stopping.

Flitwick quietly ate his lunch and managed to spoon around the confetti that fell into his soup bowl.

Dumbledore was grinning and casually pinned a pink rose to his robes as a makeshift boutenniere. Mc Gonagall grimaced. Her eyes flashed as she sipped stiffly from her teacup. I noticed that she made no secret of the fact that she was calculating the distance from her and Lockhart as she fiddled with her teacup.

Snape also sat noiselessly as he smoothed a hand through his long black hair carefully and then stared at his confetti-filled palm. Confetti moved down to his robes and the process began once again. He had given up trying to keep any food down even though he tended to eat very little. His hair was so dark the confetti was much more noticeable on his person than anyone else, I noticed. The Snape beside me seemed to be aware of this too as I saw his jaw tighten against his pale cheek.

I wanted to add that the grease didn't help any but I kept myself in check.

Snape finally spoke. "You do realize how fortunate he was that very soon after he entered St. Mungo's. Not on my account I assure you...very lucky fellow..." Snape seemed to be speaking to himself.

I knew he was sensitive about the day Lockhart brought Valentine's Day to Hogwarts. However, I had not seen the rest of the memory yet.

[galleon]

Professor Vector experiences the rest of Professor Snape's worst Valentine's Day

LOST CHAPTER J - LOVE IS IN THE HAIR

We both continued to watch a livid pensieve Snape turning whiter with rage as the pink confetti continued to fall, attempting suffocation on all of the inhabitants of the Great Hall.

It was then that Lockhart addressed the Great Hall.

"Why am I even sharing this with..."mumbled Snape as he caught himself. "This ridiculous, blasted fool..."

"Will you please calm down, Snape?" I noticed his wand hand flex and make a fist once more.

"Oh, dear, Merlin. He did," I pressed a hand to my head.

I saw Lockhart enthusiastically suggest that students would be able to ask Professor Snape for various love potions. Pensieve Snape looked murderous and even though it was a memory it was unnerving to look at.

It was when Flitwick was affectionately called a "sly, old dog" that I intervened.

"O.K., Snape. You win. No more. Please." I said with difficulty.

"Enough, Vector?" Snape raised an eyebrow. "Well, not quite the end yet. We are now moving to my classroom."

We followed pensieve Snape out of the Great Hall as he glided quicker than usual to the dungeons.

"Professor. Do you really have in stock?..."asked an unwise first year.

Pensieve Snape, whose look clearly said,"you should be taken out and done away with," walked on as the student reared back and ran away mid-sentence. Pensieve Snape dared any student in the vicinity with his eyes to approach him about procuring a love potion. After several eyewitness accounts rippled down the hallway, no one else did.

Snape turned to me and said softly, "I suppose that you, the epitome of dunderheads, think my actions were reprehensible."

"Er, no, not today," I offered. Snape eyed me curiously as we approached a Potions double that day. It was a first. We finally agreed on something. I decided not to complicate things further by pointing that out.

However, I was soon taken aback by the sight of dwarves in gold cherub wings. I refused, absolutely, to enter the classroom in his memory.

"Professor, I have seen enough, I wish to leave the pensieve," I insisted with desperation.

"Fascinating, Vector," Snape smirked. "Have you had enough of this delightful holiday memory?" Snape said sarcastically. "Very well then. I now wish to leave as well. Let's return to my office."

Not exactly the place I wished to be but anything was better than this.

[galleon]

LOST CHAPTER K - LIFE COACHING

Oh, dear Lord! What am I doing here? I had no answer that made any sense when I kept asking myself.

I had been planning to drop off some potions books that Snape had reluctantly let me borrow. I was currently taking breakfast...and lunch...brunch....dinner...supper...and perhaps snacks, come to mention it, in my quarters due to the unfounded rumor spreading across Hogwarts that I was a vampire. How ironic that the person I suspected of encouraging the rumors lent me books with the comments,"Academic aspirations should not be halted by such a...condition, Miss Vector. I expect them to be returned on the agreed dates in the exact way they left my shelves."

The diabolical dolt! However, when I reached the office I noticed that my mentor was currently not in his office.

Fearing his ever present disdain, as well as that callous smirk that shot in my direction on a daily basis, I decided to do the unthinkable. Truly a precedent beyond all reasoning -- I would drop them off at his quarters.

Snape was Slytherin's head of house so his rooms were located near the student's dormitories. It took ages to climb down the stairs that led to the dungeons, and then finally walk through the damp, murky stone corridors. Did people really live like this? You would think old man Malfoy would donate to an absolutely necessary restored wing of the dungeons instead of his hopeless child's broomstick fund for the other team players. Everyone knows they can't beat Gryffindor and Potter. Even I, who pulled something playing muggle ping pong once in my youth.

Merlin's pants! It smelled so horrible. What was that stench! It was a sickly sweet odour like something had died down here? Could it be Snape's dignity or good humor? Perhaps a small animal? Was I lucky enough for it to be Snape's everlastingly annoying owl, Charon?

I was livid. Not only did I have to venture to this cesspool of Slytherinity, but Snape was not exactly my favorite individual on Earth at the moment...at any moment.

Dumbledore, my employer, the eternal optimist, decided(obviously on one of his chronic whims) that our last faculty meeting would be different. We would engage in some ice-breakers or as he referred to it "faculty bonding". Naturally, I had the misfortune of being paired with Snape for at least some of the activities. For one in particular, each partner would take quill and parchment and one minute to write down some positives or strengths they saw in the particular co-worker they were partnered with.

I was honest....and it did me absolutely no good. Whether the fool realizes it or not, I do(for some reason that I quite frankly can't explain) see certain noble, albeit generic, qualities that could emerge. Whether he allowed them to or not is an entirely other matter.

When time was up, Snape was deathly quiet. he stared silently at me, his whole body still . He stared without uttering a word so I felt that it was the cue for the first group to begin. Somehow Snape and I became the first group much to our surprise.

To Be Continued....

[galleon]

LOST CHAPTER K...CONTINUED...

Dumbledore smiled and with a flick of his wrist his wand reset the hourglass located in the middle of the room. "I believe that our time is up. Please share with us and elaborate on the finer, sterling qualities that our fellow Hogwarts staff members possess," announced Dumbledore with flourish. "Make sure they are listed in adjective form and no sentences or phrases please," he grinned.

"Er, hem," I cleared my throat. Snape's staring was making me uneasy.

"Miss Vector," Dumbledore addressed me. "I see you are paired with Professor Snape...a worthy choice! Please be the very first to share with us."

"Yes, sir." I replied somewhat hesitantly. Ok, here goes.

I stood up and addressed the crowd.

"Loyal
Respectful
Formal
Hard-working
Truthful
Brilliant
Witty
Intellectual
Well-read
Intelligent
Articulate
Learned
Thoughtful, er, at times...."

"No phrases, Miss Vector. Well, I couldn't agree with you more about our revered potions master," said Dumbledore.

Snape was looking at me funny, in an almost puzzled way. No doubt he had been preparing for the worst or at least a harpy tirade or two as he referred to my outbursts at his rudeness.

I sat back down and Snape leaned over to whisper to me. "I believe it is my turn, Vector. Which would you rather hear? My orginal list that contains some adjectives that no decent wizard or witch should hear in polite society or the one I prepared so as not to spoil Dumbldore's ridiculous Let's-pat-each-other-on-the back session nor to be dismissed from my post as Potions Master and head of house?"

I was about to answer when Snape rose as Dumbledore nodded to him. He lifted a piece of parchment and prepared to speak.

"Headmaster, if I may, I would like to preface my comments. As Miss Vector's mentor, I will relegate my comments to the professional realm only."

"Won't he do that with anyone he works with? Far be it from Professor Snape to actually get to know somebody," muttered McGonagall to a grinning Professor Sprout.

Snape eyed Minerva for a moment and then continued.

"Thorough(Snape took his time, pronouncing each word very carefully as I inwardly cringed.)
Methodical
Industrious
Precise
Exact
Quantitative
Resourceful

That is all," he announced

He slowly took his seat and pulled out his wand.

"Severus, come now, my list wasn't that bad," I watched his wand tip eagerly.

Snape rolled his eyes and pointed his wand at the parchment, "Evanesco," he said softly and the paper disappeared.

I breathed a sigh of relief and decided to comment on his list instead.

"Professor Snape, you made me sound like a machine or an extremely difficult muggle algebra problem," I offered.

"Well, Vector, I decided to take pity on you and save my employment by refraining from reading my originally intended list. You may add "consideration in crisis" to YOUR list. Oh, dear, I believe I uttered a phrase," he smirked sarcastically.

I glared at the bat. Was it me or did he look like he was forcing back the urge to smile? No, just my imagination. Blasted bats do not smile.

As I rose, refusing to answer him, I started for the door. The life coaching session was over. When I turned, I noticed he was following me--only a few steps separated us. For some reason he then turned in the other direction an left. He was an utter weirdo!

Now here I was returning his books and trying to resist the temptation to hit him with one.

[galleon]

Lost Chapter L - ENTER THE DRAGON, ER, LADY

Off to the dungeons I went. Never a good decision but if I didn't return his books, that could be a worse decision. And, quite possibly, the last one I ever made.

When I entered Snape's office, he was sitting at his desk leafing carefully through parchment as usual. He glanced up slowly and sneered at me--as usual.

"Try knocking first, Professor Vector. You are in luck and I will ignore the intrusion. I've grown used to your lack of grace and tact. Anyway, I wish to have a word with you. But first I must ask you something. I noticed a flea on a desk in the potions classroom. Consorting with the Animagus Black, are we?"

"Snape, my work in the Order has nothing to do with you."

He put down the papers he was leafing through and slowly walked over to me where I was standing.

"Well, now that we are addressing the subject I wished to discuss with you....oh, I daresay it does, Vector." He crossed his arms over his chest, his cape wrapping itself even closer as he did.

"Snape, you need a hobby and one that requires you to leave the dungeons. Cricket? Gobstones? Dragon-taming? Anything that will extricate you from the other members' activities. I guess double espionage leaves quite the amount of leisure time to interfere with other people's work, does it?"

"You have no idea, Vector, and I will leave it at that. I am far too busy with other matters that you could hardly fathom."

"Try me."

"I will do nothing of the kind. I only wish to try to convince you of something. Not that I even need exert myself but I will let you believe you have somewhat of a choice."

"And what might that be?"

"Well, two things"

"What are they?"

"Don't presume my time is not full. I need not reiterate that I refuse to attend anymore staff functions unless absolutely necessary. As for you fools and your "faculty outings," I regret to inform you that pubs in Hogsmeade are not necessarily worthwhile excursions to me. Please, forward that to my fellow co-workers," said Snape snidely.

"With pleasure, it will be a relief to some of us."

"Why should I comply with some of your dubious venturings? Speaking of which...I believe they should cease to exist, Vector, if you were wiser, that is."

"What are you trying to tell me?"

Snape looked gravely at me. All sarcasm wiped clean from his face, which frightened me more than I can say, or more than any threat that passed from him to me.

"I am telling you that I have seen to it that you are not involved anymore."

"Why...How is that?" I spluttered in anger.

"That I cannot tell you, I will only tell you that after what happened with Fletcher, you cease to be an Order member. Dumbledore will...." he stopped abruptly.

"Dumbledore will WHAT?" I yelled

"He will not risk losing my services and will agree to anything I suggest. Also, there is a slight catch that even now as you argue with me, I'm sure you have not thought of. However, knowing that you will and must always be difficult, I will and must remind you of it. And it is this...you owe me, Vector, so you have no choice in the matter after all, I guess."

"And what in Merlin's beard could I possibly....Oh." Realization slapped me in the face and a touch of guilt as well. How could I forget when I very nearly...

"Might I remind you of the wizarding debt you owe me. It is binding, powerful, and well, unavoidable. I will take an educated guess and say that should I ever be in a scenario where you would have a choice to save my life or not, well, let me say that I will all of my personal possessions to you. Knowing you would let me die, I'd rather enjoy you having them and being tormented with the guilt. Therefore, knowing the outcome of such a predicament, I'd rather be alive and have you pay off your debt another way."

"Why are you doing this? It won't last. Even children are involved. If you think I'd stand on the sidelines during this war---you are mad," I raged.

"Listen to me," he looked me square in the eyes. I will tell you one more thing regarding the matter and than it is done," he said sternly. "The less you know the better."

He scared me. I felt a chill and very much out of the loop. I also realized that it would do no good to argue. I would wait, pay my way out of my debt somehow, and approach Dumbledore. There had to be a loophole. This was none of his business. Why did he hate me so? Why did he prey upon the fact that I refused to be shut out, uninvolved, and he was trying to render me utterly helpless. Why punish me by clipping my wings? I would rather have died than be useless. That was my nature. He should have let me die than, rather than be indebted to him.

"We are not done. I will speak to you again, Snape. Make no mistake about it."

"Before you go, Vector, there is something else I'd like to know," he asked. He was so eager to dismiss me a second ago, why this last?

"Now that your tenure with the Order is over....if we were in a situation and you had the choice, would you let me die? If the debt did not exist."

I met his gaze head on, refusing to waver, and also resolved to not give in an inch.

"What do YOU think?" I said as cryptically as I could muster.

"Well, I told you what I thought about the matter earlier. Now if I were a bit more optimistic I would remember the time we were engaged for 24 hours and you helped extricate me from a rather potentially embarassing situation. If you would do that and should I ever be in dire straits, I do have hope that you would come to MY rescue," he shot me a wry smile, knowing I was boiling.

"Well, since we are reverting back to questioning, I want to know something that I never asked you. Why did you save me after the incident with Fletcher when you hate me so?"

Snape paused a bit."...Merely to put you in my debt. That is all," said Snape looking down at his parchment once again. "Now to the second thing I had to tell you, another part of my job...having people indebted to me in my line of work is invaluable. Though I'm sure you never believed that it even came out of the kindness of my heart. Even you couldn't possibly have been mistaken as to my motives. That should answer your question."

It came out. I didn't mean for it to and I'm not sure where it came from.

"You know, Severus, I'm not sure I entirely believe that.

"Believe what you will, Vector. You do anyway, and now I think it is time to see yourself out."

Snape never looked up as I turned and left the dungeons.

To be continued....

[galleon]

A year later or so....but.

Lost Chapter M - DUELING a' DEUX

Professor Snape will revisit his plan to convince Professor Vector to give up the Order of the Phoenix...it is for her own good...even if he has to hex it out of her.



"Do NOT sit up!" Madame Pomfrey firmly,yet gently, pushed Professor Vector back onto her pillows in the Hogwarts Infirmary. Professor Vector did not offer any resistance. She was tired though she had slept for quite some time. The slight throbbing near her temples convinced her otherwise. She rather preferred to keep her eyes closed. She valued the rest. She would need her strength when she next encountered Professor Snape. The lengths the man would go to....the things he would claim...all to stop her. She was still not backing down. How the devil was any of it his business? Even though his fake admissions....were disturbing to the ears, yet laughable. Really. He was quite mad.

.................................................. .....................

24 hours earlier....

Professor Vector made her rounds at the Great Hall. Slightly turning wrists a quarter of an inch, touching a shoulder, correcting a stance....the Dueling Club, now under the guidance of Professor Flitwick, had resumed. These times were uncertain...and practicum was more than ever valued over theory. All of the professors strolled the room assisting Flitwick on drill days when all of the Houses came together to practice. She enjoyed being quite busy in the room so she could avoid her former mentor as well as feel useful because she no longer had a sense of usefulness, purpose....until yesterday.

........................

She appealed to Dumbledore to reinstate her in the Order. She cajoled, pleaded, and finally showed her stubborness regarding the matter. She wanted back in and Snape would just have to get over it. He'd had too much of a say for far too long and Dumbledore agreed that is was only fair to reinstate her and in not so many words that Snape would have to be dealt with....gently, of course, and he would explain though Snape would not like it.

"Septima, for whatever reason, he felt it somehow conflicted with his own work in the Order...you know he has strong, er, opinions... and I am truly sorry I let you go for a time. It was only to diffuse the situation and to appease Professor Snape until he could handle it in a more professional manner without compromising the work he is doing for me. Now the time is ripe for your return."

"Do you promise?"

"Yes, despite the fact I will surely be hearing from Professor Snape I can assure you. Yes, he will point out to me the fact that his services can be unrendered....but he will not do that in the end...please believe that," offered Dumbledore. "It is greater than this...than him....his anger will pass. The subject is no longer dormant. It was only temporary in times such as these. He knows this."

"Thank you, sir."

................................................

Septima slowly sat down in a chair that faced the elevated platform. The students, fifth through seventh years, had recently taken their own seats for the final part of the assembly: the teacher demonstration.

This week was Snape's turn. The teachers rotated responsibilities and usually managed to participate when their area of expertise was the focus. He rose from his chair in the front where he sat several seats away from Professor Vector. His robes billowed as he approached the dais where some of the staff sat.

Professor Dumbledore addressed the school. "Professor Snape has kindly volunteered to demonstrate his skill with non-verbal spells, casting and deflection, with considerable emphasis on trying to anticipate the moves of one's fellow dueler. " Dumbledore shifted his gaze to Professor Vector and nodded approvingly. "Professor Vector would you assist Professor Snape?"

Septima glanced with a bit of apprehension at Dumbledore and her gaze shifted to Professor Snape. His face was expressionless. She nodded her head in agreement, stood up, removed her hat and placed it gently on the seat behind her. As she approached the platform she had the sinking feeling that somehow events would not run smoothly.

She turned to face Professor Snape who had reached the platform before her in two smooth strides and had his arms nestled closely to his chest. He stared at her, attempting to make eye contact. She knew why.

His eyes focused on her's, appraisingly, but his mouth was taut, his expression inscrutable.

(Slowly. Hex me first.) He communicated his thoughts.

Septima removed her wand from the inside of her cloak and undid the decorative knot. Professor Sinistra made her way to front of the platform and Septima haded her cloak to her friend.

She faced Professor Snape, looking deeply at his eyes trying to read them, but once he gave her the brief instructions, his thoughts pulled away from hers instantaneously. The invisible curtains pulled down once again as she stared into nothing. She pursed her lips, raised her right hand, and pointed it at Snape. Deep in concentration, she pulled back her wrist and lowered it again midair.

Professor Snape did not lift his wand, but the soft, whizzing sound suggested that he blocked her spell.

He sought out her eyes, this time, though he looked at her, she could not read anything within their black depths. They were blank. He raised his wand
and the spell emanating from his wand gusted with a burst of air.

Professor Vector crossed her right arm over to the left preparing for the worst. Not only did a spell not hit her, but she felt something breeze right past her left shoulder.

She met his eyes, her own narrowed. She wanted him to read her thoughts.

(You may fool most of the students but not the staff. Don't do it again. What is the sense in this if they can't see it properly? I will look ridiculous if you make them avoid me. They will think you've taken pity on me, surprised at such a late development of humanity.)

( Vector,you are ridiculous.You wont' be able to block them, hence my previous position regarding your place in the Order, I don't have to prove my point...and wound you without necessity.)

Professor Vector's mouth was a line. She pulled her right arm back with much vigor and directed the spell at Snape's hand.

(Expelliarmus....you.....)

Snape not only held his wand firmly in the air. He watched as Professor Vector dropped hers with a force that told her that her's was not the only spell cast.

( Why would you think the spell and alert an opponent? You're daft.) Snape shook his head slightly with mock sorrow.

(Er, ok, Snape. I got angry. That one didn't count. It is my turn and this is a demonstration. We are only supposed to cast and block, one at a time, for the benefit of the students, what ARE you doing?)

( I had no intention of doing that until a few seconds ago...ah,I see you went to the Headmaster's office. I don't have the faintest idea what THAT could be about.)

Professor Vector lowered her eyes and carefully crouched down to retrieve her wand at her feet. Suddenly, her wand flew off the platform.

Professor Snape turned slowly to look at Dumbledore, who had turned and appeared deep in conversation with Professor Sprout.

Professor Vector looked at where her wand landed, tightened her jaw and it reappeared in her hand. She waved it around her head and pointed it at Snape.

Professor Snape's wand flew and hit the ground at his feet.

She knew it was her opportunity...he had turned his head only for a second.

(Cheap shot, Vector. Why did you see Dumbledore? Seeking out a few extra galleons salary?)

His lip curled and as he faced her, he lifted his arm and his wand flew swiftly back into his hand. He never moved an inch, nor dropped his gaze.

How did he know? she thought....oh.....it had to be. She knew Dumbledore had not met with him She would have been pestered sooner, and they would never talk about it during the school day with several students and teachers about. She also did not miss the Headmaster avoiding Snape's gaze.

(Charon?)

(Of course. My owl can be quite inconspicuous if need be.) He smirked and Professor Vector appeared to trip on something that was not visible. Luckily, it was more like a slight force had shifted her balance slightly.

(I look like a fool. Why would I move to the side as if I lost my bearings for no apparent reason? What is it you are trying to do? Don't you dare....that's two in a row.)

Professor Vector fell on her backside...onto what felt like a cushion....a cushion nobody could see.

"A short break....and them we shall resume," announced Professor Mc Gonagall.

Professor Vector stood up from the floor and sat next to Professor Sinistra, seething. Professor Snape was in a corner listening calmly to a clearly animated Professor McGonagall.

..........................................

"Let's resume," announced Professor Flitwick a few minutes later.

The students found their seats once more and the two Professors took their places on the platform.

Professor Vector raised her wand slowly, her stance graceful, belying the short fuse within. The sparks flew from her wand as Professor Snape appeared to flick them away with unruffled deliberation, quite a few times in the second round, and with a bit of boredom.

Professor Vector appeared to be avoiding his gaze. He turned once more to look at Dumbledore who was no longer in the room. The gold light emanating from her wand flashed before him and he stepped back slightly.

Professor Vector faced Professor Snape. He lifted his wand and a spark bounced right off Professor Vector's wand. Her lips parted slightly, and she retained her stance.

(That blasted owl. Well, you guessed right. You might as well know. I'm back in.) She smiled sweetly in triumph, taking in the sight of a raised eyebrow before she slumped slowly to the ground, never seeing the light.

The students and staff shot right to their feet. Professor Flitwick at the far end of the table saw her slightly swerve and weave to the right before she slowly knelt down and placed her palms on the floor.

"I think that is quite enough for one day. You are dismissed. Please exit through the doors and classes will resume," Professor McGonagall called out.

The students slowly filed out. Several turned around to see Professor Vector guided to her feet by Professor Sprout. Professor Snape apparantly took the demonstration a bit too seriously, in their opinion. However, she had two nice ones, well, he did recover nicely.

"Are you alright?" asked Professor Sprout with concern. Nobody was exactly sure of what spell reached Professor Vector last.

"Yes. I...am on my feet. I am going to my next class. I just got the wind knocked out of me. I'm not hurt. I didn't expect it. Wait, I take that back. I feel a bit queasy.

The teachers conversed as Professor Vector thought better of it and sat down in the nearest chair to catch her breath.

Professor Dumbledore left Snape's side, after appearing once again, and leaned over Professor Vector. " I just spoke with Severus. He was distracted, apparently lost his concentration for a moment, and used a bit more force than he thought," he offered to the staff standing around him.

Professor Snape stood on the other side of Septima's chair. She didn't even notice him walking over.

"I wish to take a look at her. I slightly misjudged. Might I add that Professor Vector was cross with me from the first round. She was...correct. The students will learn nothing if we....playact."

Professor Snape knelt down beside her chair and looked intently at her, as one would look if analyzing a puzzle to be solved. He watched every breath she struggled to take in ,as if a mathematical formula. She lowered her face and wished not to communciate with him. The realization hit her that yes, it was not to harm her, but even worse, it was an excuse to interrogate her about earlier events. Madame Pomfrey was not the only healer at Hogwarts.

It was an effort to speak. Why argue as she tried to catch her breath? The spell had knocked the wind out of her but hadn't hurt her. Her mind raced but her body hadn't caught up yet. A bit contrived...the scheming...

Before she knew it, he placed both of his arms under her and lifted her out of her chair. They were in his office within seconds.

She was placed on a stone counter to sit. Her feet dangling as if a child at a
muggle physician's office.

"Move your hair back," he demanded softly. "I'd leave you to Pomfrey but it was my own doing. At any rate, you didn't answer my question earlier."

"What makes you think I will now?" said Septima between breaths.

"You will. And not that I need to explain, but my precision did waver for a second."

"Is that some sort of apology?" Septima puffed.

Snape didn't answer her as he pressed his palm to her forehead, checking her eyes.

"Guess what?" she stated as he watched her. "I can't breathe...and you are still using legilimens on me? Seriously, what ever is the matter with you."

"I am not. You would know it, Vector. I'm preoccupied at the moment. I could... let you stay like this. It will wear off in time.... more quickly, if you wished to cooperate. You would most likely catch your breath if you refrained from wasting it. However, I can plainly see that you will not."

"I'm not wasting it," she wheezed. "You are a...."

The vial appeared out of nowhere. The warm, velvety liquid trailed the back of her throat. She closed her eyes and drifted.