By Snapebonkbasket8689

OLIVIA'S POV

I decided to stay behind after class, there was something weird about the fact he gave me an old battered copy of the textbook when there was a shelf full of them. I had worked out one thing, the copy he gave me didn't just have scribbles inside... it had extra information.

As I brewed my potion my curiosity got the better of me and I ignored the genuine text and followed the instructions scribbled at the side. My potion was perfect, better than most of my classmates. Weird.

"What are you still doing here girl?" The bat grunted as he noticed I was the only one still there. "I need a word, Professor." I told him honestly, scanning his face for a reaction.

He placed his quill down and glared at me, arching an eyebrow in a patronising manner.
"Make it quick, I'm a very busy man." He scowled. "I'm sure you are, what with your busy social life!" I spat in response.
Suddenly he rose from his seat and launched towards me, grabbing my arm viciously and slamming me against the door.

"Are you trying to be funny Miss Rickman? Because if you are I can assu..." "why did you give me that particular copy of the text book?" I cut him off, with a demanding tone.

"And don't lie to me, I know you did it on purpose. Those side notes are yours aren't they? YOU are the half blood prince."
"It was the closest one to hand." He spat defensively, his breath blowing into my face before letting go. Aggressively shoving me away.

"True, but it's also your personal copy and I'm pretty sure you would walk to the ends of the earth and back before giving anyone your own personal copy.." I smirked.
"What are you implying? you insolent little chit! and I would warn you to be careful how you answer that question." He scowled, pacing back and forth.

"I'm not implying anything, I just want to know why you would share that with me... especially when you detest me so." I sighed sadly. He must have seen my emotions because he took a step closer to me, lifting my chin up with his long cold fingers.

He spoke softly, conflicting emotions in his dark eyes. "I do not detest you Miss Rickman... as much as I truly want to."
Then disappeared, leaving me stood there more confused then I was before.

〰〰〰〰〰〰〰〰〰

"Olivia, I must speak with you." Aunt Minnie insisted when she caught me in the corridor.
"Aunt Minnie....?" I asked with a gulp, I constantly lived in fear of bad news. "It's your mother dear, the care home has informed me that your mothers condition is worsening. She's becoming aggressive with the staff and has sedated her frequently in recent days." Minnie explained sadly, I could see that she wanted to keep the information to herself but thought I deserved to know.

I ran. I felt as though my airways were closing and all the voices around me felt muffled.
The fresh air hit me as I flew down the steps at the castle entrance, my chest felt tight.
Another panic attack....

I slumped down against the castle wall and cried, after all these months of holding it all in.. keeping that British stiff upper lip, my emotions broke free.

I heard a familiar voice and looked up, I was met with the blackest eyes I had ever known.
Snape.
"What are you doing out... why are you crying girl!" He spat awkwardly, "leave me alone, please." I begged, he was one person I couldn't deal with.
"You should not be out here Miss Rickman, I suggest you go back inside before you earn yourself detention!"
"Just stop, please go away." I croaked, rocking back and forth, trying to stop myself from getting up and knocking him out.

"There's something seriously wrong with you! Is there anyone normal in your family?" Snape groaned, I got up and walked towards him. I stared into his face partly desperate for a hug and partly disgusted. "You have absolutely no idea..." I screamed, running back into the castle.

〰〰〰〰〰〰〰

Professor Snape was walking down the halls when he caught Professor McGonagall deep in conversation with a 3rd year Gryffindor.
"Minerva, a word." He said plainly, perching himself up against the wall with his arms crossed across his chest, waiting for her to join him. "Severus, what is it? Mr Goldhawk needs punishing..." she scolded him with a sour face, she was never one to be interrupted.

"Your niece, you need to sort her out. The girl is insane!" He seethed, "She's going through a lot Severus, her life is not as easy as most of the other students. I plead with your kinder side to go easy on her." McGonagall explained sadly, "Life isn't fair Minerva, I will not be lenient." Snape insisted, he felt frustrated by the old witches bias.

"Severus, her father is an alcoholic who is never around and her poor mother in a care home slowly getting sicker by the day. She doesn't even recognise Olivia some days.. It's Alzheimer's." McGonagall explained sadly, Snape saw a tear in her eye for the first time in all the years he had known her. "Minerva, I don't know what to say...." he sighed, as the witch spun around and walked away.

"What have I done? Oh, Olivia...." he whispered under his breath.