Following the Family Footsteps

“But I don’t think I’ve ever known such a natural at Potions!” said Slughorn. “Instinctive, you know — like his mother! I’ve only ever taught a few with this kind of ability, I can tell you that, Sybill — why even Severus —”― J.K. Rowling, Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince

Snape glanced down at the tiny bundle that had been placed into his arms. She was beautiful and he had no idea how he had become this lucky. He had never believed in second chances but now he knew Dumbledore had been right to give him one. This little creature laid in his arms was meant to be in this world.

“Have you thought of a name for her yet, Severus?” His wife asked sleepily. The exhaustion of birth having consumed her whole body, yet she still released a smile to him. Her eyes sparkling as she glanced down at the tiny fist. Dumbledore had given him this life.

“Yes I think I have” his eyes returned from his wife to his new daughter’s eyes, they were deep and dark like his own. “Dora”. He said so softly it was almost a whisper, but when the baby gave a small cry in his arms it made him laugh gently turning to his wife.

“Dora it is.”

–    –    –    –    –    –    –    –    –    –    –    –    –    –    –    –    –    –    –    –    –    –    –    –    –    –    –    –    Dora glanced uneasily around the room. Potions. Her father had been desperate for her to excel and as much as she had, it was never her dream. Why should she follow what was written in a book? On a page. Someone else’s work and discovery, she wanted to make her own. Fill the world with her magic. She knew her father wouldn’t be happy. She was told to sit, listen and learn and she hated it.

Dora smiled at the others around her. Few of them smiled back. They knew her father. If they didn’t their parents did. Some were suspicious of him. Dora didn’t understand that. Didn’t they know how kind, caring and clever he was? So returned to her book and began scribbling. The recipe was so bland and simple, anyone with a tiny bit of magic in their little finger could do it. She changed it around a little, swapping the seeds for dried flowers, swapping the herbs for spices, swapping the water for wine.

“Right students, time to put the potion to practice”. The teacher Mrs Matilda Viridian said happily, breaking Dora’s concentration.

Dora walked to the shelves and started gathering the ingredients’ she had listed, returning to her bench she set to work. Immediately it was obvious she was doing something different, her potion was blue while those belonging to the other students were pink. Their potions simmered while hers boiled and bubbled. When it came to the end of the lesson and they let out the magic words each student had a tiny plant appear to grow from the pot.

Dora whispered the words into her pot and was knocked off her stool as the room began to vibrate. Out from pot grew gnarling twisting branches, that spread like arms around the classroom. They grabbed at each student and whirled at the Mrs Viridian. Everyone ran for the door but Dora’s teacher ran directly to the tree, standing between Dora and its base. The tree thrashed around the room, hitting tables and lights with its branches. Nevertheless, Mrs Viridian didn’t move she leaned closer and closer looking for something and discovering the knot she was looking for poked her wand into it hard. Instantly the tree was immobilised. Its branches hanging limply by its side.

“Mrs Viridian…” Dora started.

“Save it, Dora,” Mrs Viridian said. “There is no excuses. Now, go get Hagrid.”

Dora scrambled to her feet and headed for the door. “Miss, what do I say to Hagrid?”.

“Well, you quite simply tell him, that another member of the Snape family has grown a whomping willow during potions class and it needs rehoming.”

“Another… Snape…” Dora’s mouth opened and closed as she took in the words.

“Yes, your family always have had their way in a potions class. Now go get Hagrid before the roots settle permanently.”

“Yes, Miss.” Dora said and headed out of the class smiling, it sounded like her and her father had a few things to talk about.

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Bordering on fanfiction this week. Not something I normally do but with inspirational words from J.K. Rowling and an image of Alan Rickman that I just couldn’t resist using, the above story was born! 🙂  

The theme this week – Wisdom….the original quote I quite liked was “Wisdom begins in Wonder – Socrates”, this led me down the school storyline and of course the first school that came to mind was the imfamous Hogwarts. Anyway, I hope people enjoyed it, check out Colleen @Silverthreading and Ronovan’s at Ronovan Writes  for more inspirational quotes to keep you writing. 

Hope you enjoyed! KL ❤