The Raven and the Snake

Ariadne's Vow

Before she'd been allowed to go home, Ariadne got called out by Professor Snape one more time. They'd been avoiding each other like they'd been contagious, but she really shouldn't have been surprised.

Professor Snape led her briskly to the headmaster's office. She felt a sort of grimness at seeing the gargoyle statue. When it demanded a password, Professor Snape said "sugar quills" with ice in his tone.

Professor Dumbledore was sitting at his desk, smiling politely. Ariadne avoided the eyes of the pictures lining the walls. They were all previous headmasters of this school, she knew they'd be looking at her as though she was some sort of problem student.

"Miss Black," Dumbledore used his wand to draw up to chairs, gesturing for them to sit. Ariadne did, but Professor Snape remained standing.

"Professor Dumbledore, what do I owe the pleasure?" Ariadne said in a measured tone. She didn't really have to ask, she could guess why she was here. She didn't look over at Snape.

The room was oddly quiet. From here, she couldn't hear the other students and the only two humans were both good at Occlumency. They didn't allow the tenor of their thoughts to bother her. The only sound was a true sound, a quiet cooing from the golden perch to right of the desk where a beautiful bird watched her with laser focus.

Professor Dumbledore rested his elbows on the desk, pressing his fingers together in front of his mouth. He was watching her through his half-moon spectacles with calm interest. Nothing on his face showed what he might be thinking or feeling. His gaze was as curious as Ollivander's had been, magnetic and probing, but not intrusive.

She refused to break eye contact. Her jaw was set. Her mental wall was steady,

"Professor Snape has clued me in about your lessons, Miss Black." Dumbledore said slowly. "He said you're already quite accomplished in both Legilimency and Occlumency. At the age of 12, that is most impressive."

She saw Professor Snape's hand twitch in her peripherals. "It was a skill I was born with, Professor. Much like my cousin, Tonk's metamorphmagus ability."

A smile flickered on Professor Dumbledore's face. "Yes, I've heard that you come from a very distinguished family of a variety of talented wizards and witches. Your control is still most impressive. Professor Snape is one of the most talented Occlumency users I have ever encountered and he has said that you managed to break down his defenses."

Ariadne's eyes narrowed. "I suppose I should apologize for the invasion of privacy, Professor."

A small titter had started among the occupants of the paintings behind Dumbledore's desk. It made her want to start tapping to measure out her breaths. She was absolutely determined to keep her cool in this room. If she was about to be expelled, she would not allow herself to break down. She, like her father before her, was strong.

Professor Dumbledore gave a little nod. "Yes, that was quite rude of you. Invasion of privacy should not be taken lightly, but as you were actively learning to use your powers, I don't believe you can be blamed entirely. Professor Snape has agreed that you were within your rights to practice specifically on him."

A small noise came from Snape. His hand was not at all relaxed on the chair. Her head tilted in his direction reflexively, but she didn't look at him. They had not been in the middle of lesson when she'd surprised him with her spell. She'd attacked him and she knew it.

"I don't know what exactly you might have heard growing up, living with muggles and a squib mother that was removed from the wizarding world..." She raised a hand to stop Dumbledore.

The paintings tittered louder, a couple seeming stunned to see a student so rude in front of her headmaster.

"Sir, if Professor Snape has informed you of what I saw during my lapse of judgement, you know that I am aware of his mark. I know what it is and what it means. Professor Snape has also been inside my head and I doubt he kept my origins from you. Legilimency aside, the school is filled with whispers and I'm hardly the only Slytherin to have Death Eaters in the family."