chapter eight; snape and potter

TEMPEST HADN'T RETURNED TO THE FORBIDDEN FOREST FOR A FEW DAYS. She had instead been cooped up in her chambers, dissecting information that was sprawled across the floors. Her mind kept replaying the sight of the black dog hunched in the trees, and she hated how she was set on edge by the mere thought of going back. 

The weekend had rolled around relatively quickly, and while the students made their way down to Hogsmeade, she was sitting quietly in the great hall with the Daily Prophet on the table before her. She had barely slept a wink the previous night, and was utterly exhausted. There weren't many wizarding alternatives to coffee, which she had grown accustomed to in her life in Surrey. There were drinks of a similar sort, though they tasted awful compared to the muggle cappuccinos and lattes. Instead, she sipped on a hot chocolate, her insides warming in delight.

Despite what many pure-bloods claimed, life with muggles was quite enjoyable. She had lived among them almost all her life, and the sheer obliviousness of their kind was comforting, especially since they didn't know of her past relations, or what she was capable of. Some were a little stupid for their own good, but that was the case with several wizards, who refused to admit they were similar in that way. 

She hated that her kind refused to learn from non-magic folk, as there were numerous inventions that could make life less complicated for all, only the pride of purists got in the way. 

Tempest's eyes were droopy as she chewed on a rasher of bacon, near oblivious to how alone she was in the large hall. Not one person was around, and she didn't know whether or not she liked it. She preferred the company of others, only she didn't know how different it would be under the circumstances in which she had returned. 

"The fact that you think you can sneak around like your good for nothing father-" a distant, nasally voice caught Tempest's attention as it broke the silence she sat in. Turning her head, she caught a glimpse of a man in dark black robes dragging someone by the arm through the halls. Her posture tightened a little, immediately aware of who it was, as even though he was now in his thirties, he was still the same man she had gone to school with. 

Tempest didn't waste any time in throwing her legs over the chair and standing up, strolling towards the large archway at the end of the Great Hall. Her dark brown slippers didn't make a sound against the stone floors, so when she made it outside, it took the culprits by surprise.

"Professor Snape," she called as she stepped out into the halls, just in time to catch Severus before he took the student somewhere else, probably for a detention. Her arms crossed, she watched as the greasy-haired man froze and turned to her, looking down his large nose in a form of disgust. She hadn't changed much since he had last seen her, even the dark bags under her eyes was nothing new. Still, despite her exhaustion she managed a slight simper as she stared up at him. "It's a Saturday morning, can't your torture wait till Monday?"

"Tempest Thatcher. I can't say it's a pleasure to be in your company," he muttered, drawing out her name in a taunting fashion. It hadn't always been so troublesome between the pair, but after the deaths of James, Lily and Peter, things had been said that ended whatever friendship they had. At his words, Tempest rolled her eyes, opening her mouth to speak before she was interrupted by the boy her former classmate happened to be disciplining. 

"Miss Thatcher?" Harry Potter appeared shocked, his eyes wide from behind her spectacles and his mouth slacked slightly. She was the last person he'd think to see around Hogwarts, especially in a pair of mismatched muggle pyjamas. "What are you doing here?"

Despite the nerves growing in her stomach, Tempest managed a warm smile as she glanced over at the young boy. He looked so much like James it was uncanny, though his green eyes were that of Lily's. She was sure he was sick of hearing that by now, which was why she didn't say it. Instead, she opted for something a little more careful. "Harry, I think you and I need to have a chat. Severus, where did you plan on taking him?"

"My office, though I don't see why it's any use to you," he sneered, watching as Tempest's eyes travelled down to the object he held in his other hand. To any other, it was a ragged piece of parchment, though at the mere sight, she knew exactly what it was. Snape noticed her shift in posture, and quickly hid the parchment behind his back. His lip upturned, he didn't plan on wasting another breath on the woman. "Now, go run off with Lupin, this is professional business."

"Of course," Tempest replied, raising an eyebrow. A curious, even mischievous smile quickly graced her face and she nodded once, her eyes trailing down to Harry. "I hope to see you later, Harry. Feel free to talk to me if you see me roaming the grounds."

"But-" Harry blurted out, though he could hardly get another word out as Severus yanked his arm irritably. 

The raven-haired woman watched carefully as she waited for the two to turn the corner, before she looked all around her. The coast was clear, so she didn't hesitate in shrinking down into her feline form and sprinting in the direction of the Dark Arts classroom. She knew Remus would be there, and she also knew she didn't have much time until Snape began interrogating Harry. 

Luckily enough, he was mulling over another lesson plan when she slid through the opening in the door and quickly transformed, startling him with her sudden presence. His eyes were wide as she caught her breath from across the room, a familiar glint in her eye. After he had recovered, the man sighed softly. "What have you done?"

"It's what we're about to do," she grinned. Remus quirked an eyebrow, clearly uninterested in whatever antics she was up to. The instant inconvenience of whatever she was planning was a feeling he hadn't undergone for a long time , though he recognised her expression instantly. It was one usually influenced by James or Sirius, and he hadn't seen it since they were young. 

"And what would that be?" He asked, clearly suspicious, as from what he remembered, many of the things Tempest planned landed them in trouble. He didn't want to risk his position in his new job, or hers at Hogwarts. Maybe he was reading too much into things, but from the antics she had gotten up to during her time as a student, it was good to overthink and be pleasantly surprised rather than be unconcerned and later disappointed.

Tempest's smile only broadened. "Severus has Harry, and the map."

"The map?" Remus repeated slowly, placing his quill down. Tempest nodded excitedly, waving him forward, though he only scoffed. "Tempest, please. The map's been lost since our seventh year. It was probably some old piece of parchment."

"But what if it wasn't?" Tempest insisted, growing slightly frustrated as Remus turned and began walking up to his office. "Remus, you can't just walk away, what about Harry?"

"Tempest, I can't be running around the school in attempt to get Severus Snape in trouble, not anymore," Remus shook his head, trudging up the steps and stepping through the door. The woman hung her head back and groaned dramatically, following him inside. She leaned against the doorway as he began shuffling through the papers on his desk, looking for one of his lesson plans. She watched quietly, wishing to go and find Harry and retrieve the parchment. 

She didn't have to wait long, as only moments later Lupin's fireplace turned a bright green signalling that someone wanted to meet with him. "Lupin! I want a word!"

Tempest grinned, her eyes twinkling as she recognised Severus' displeasing voice. She took a step forward, though Remus held up his hand to stop her. "Ah, no. He said Lupin, not Thatcher. I'll be back in a moment."

Frowning as he stepped through the fireplace and disappeared, Tempest found herself alone once again. She crossed her arms and spun around impatiently, before shrinking down into her animagus form and sprinting through the classroom. She may not have been permitted to meet with Snape and Harry, but that didn't mean she couldn't wait for them outside. Call her nosy, but she just wanted to make sure her Godson was doing okay.

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It took longer than she thought to reach Snape's office, seeing as she had partly forgotten where it would be, and if it wasn't for the red-haired boy rushing through the school, she wouldn't have found her way at all. It was a Weasley, she knew that for a fact. It was Molly and Arthur's boy, Ronald. She knew he probably wouldn't remember her face, probably just her name from the cards she would send his family for birthdays. Still, she made an assumption that he was on his way to save his best friend's backside, which was why she didn't hesitate in following him through the school.

Moments later, she found herself sitting outside the open door of Snape's office, Ron having burst through seconds earlier to confront the adults and his friend. She had listened in to hear his case (which was quite weak, though somewhat believable), waiting quietly for something to happen. Unfortunately it was quite dull, and thankfully after another quiet moment, Remus spoke up. "Harry, Ron, come with me, I need a word about my vampire essay. Excuse us, Severus."

Tempest watched as the three exited Snape's office, and she waited a minute before darting after them, remaining quiet and out of sight. There were no words exchanged between the group until they reached the entrance hall, where Remus released a reluctant sigh. Harry quickly stepped in, his eyes wide. "Professor, I-"

"I don't want to hear explanations," Remus shook his head as he responded shortly. He looked around the empty space, his eyes resting on Tempest briefly, before he quickly averted his eyes. "I happen to know that this map was confiscated by Mr Filch many years ago. Yes, I know it's a map. I don't want to know how it fell into your possession. I am, however, astounded that you didn't hand it in. Particularly after what happened the last time a student left information about the castle lying around. And I can't let you have it back, Harry."

Harry nodded a few times, as if he had expected that much. He didn't appear to be disheartened though, instead eager for answers concerning the all-too-familiar map. "Why did Snape think I'd gotten it from the manufacturers?"

Tempest's attention rested on Remus, who was reluctant in replying. "Because these mapmakers would have wanted to lure you out of school. They'd think it extremely entertaining."

Well, he wasn't wrong.

"Do you know them?" Harry ogled, clearly intrigued. Remus' expression remained stone cold.

"We've met," he said, the element of mystery present in his voice. "Don't expect me to cover up for you again, Harry. I can't seem to make you take Sirius Black seriously. But I would have thought that what you have heard when the Dementors draw near you would have more of an effect on you. Your parents gave their lives to keep you alive, Harry. A poor way to repay them -- gambling their sacrifice for a bag of magic tricks."

Quite the low blow, but Tempest didn't blame him. He was right -- Harry was being far too careless as the prime prey of Sirius Black. Though she herself was taking a few too many chances, she could take care of herself. But Harry was a thirteen year-old boy who was far too much like his father for his own good. And that was going to get him into more trouble than he already was. 

After Remus stormed off, she emerged from the shadows and appeared at Harry and Ron's feet. Ron, who was a little less distracted than Harry, glanced down and smiled a little at the sight of the Bombay cat with the pinkish scar on its face, leaning down at petting its head. "Hello there, where'd you come from?"

Tempest didn't respond, but she turned her head and looked over at Harry, who appeared to be close to tears. She knew she had to speak with him at some point, but there was so much to talk about, and there were some things she wasn't ready to say. It broke her heart to see him so conflicted and troubled, especially since she hadn't been there for him throughout it all. She could only imagine the struggle he had been facing, particularly this year. 

Would he pardon her for keeping her distance? Would she ever become the godmother he deserved? She hoped the answers would be yes, but then again, she didn't know if she deserved his forgiveness, not after depriving him the possibility of a happy life.

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haha lol i finally updated 

sorry folks i've been rly sad so i haven't been doing much but hopefully i'm backkkk now and better than ever

tell me what you thought! :))