Dumbledore was expecting a visitor, and had spruced himself up accordingly, he had put on his best set light blue robes. "Do you think this is such a good idea Albus, the girl is already a tank of boiling water ready to explode." Professor McGonagall fretted.
"I'm aware of the risks Minerva but it is out of my hands, it's either that or I have to follow protocol and expel the girl." Dumbledore explained sadly.

They both rose to their feet when there was a knock at the door, but it was Snape who entered. His glare towards his old friend Albus was full of anger and it didn't go unnoticed. "Severus, please. Come down off your high horse for once." Minerva scowled. Snape ignored the witch and sat down with his arms folded across his chest.
'Elira is going to be so upset.' He sighed to himself sadly.

They didn't have to wait for too long and the door knocked again within 5 minutes of Snape's arrival.
There he was, Skender Argolli... A highly respected wizard, Elira's father.

"Hello, My name is Skender Argolli. I have been called in with regards to my daughters behaviour." He smiled warmly, shaking everyone's hand firmly. "Mr Argolli! Welcome!" Dumbledore beamed towards the tall, but rather chubby wizard. "Skender, please." Elira's father chuckled.

"Elira is avoiding her mothers classes as I informed you in my owl, her behaviour, especially towards Gwen has been rather erratic." Dumbledore explained. Snape scoffed, he couldn't blame the girl one bit. "I understand that this is a very complicated situation, if it was up to me Elira would be living with me. I'm still fighting for custody." Skender explained, Snape's heart dropped at the thought that Elira could leave.

Elira had no idea why she had been summoned to the headmasters office, she hadn't had any language classes in her timetable so she hadn't skipped any classes. When she arrived and saw her father smiling down at her she screeched excitedly and ran towards him.

She was so happy to see her father but it annoyed her that Dumbledore ignored her wishes. Her eyes met with Snape's with disappointment, 'I thought you would fix this.' She sighed to herself. Finally she agreed to attend her mothers lessons but stood her ground when it came to her attitude towards her, "I will not be talking to her outside of class though, and I mean it."

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Elira sat by the black lake that evening, watching the ripples on the water. A small box with a letter attached in front of her, still unopened.

It was from Bogdan.
Her father had given it to her, he was always a bit upset that Elira finished with Bogdan. His family would have made great connections for him, Skender thought the most important thing in a suitor for his daughter was that the boy was of a good pedigree. Almost as if he was breeding show dogs.
Of course, if he knew how much Bogdan had hurt Elira.. he would probably break every bone in the young mans body.

"Are you alright?" A deep voice purred from behind her, almost making her jump out of her skin. "I thought you were going to talk to Dumbledore?" Elira scowled as Snape sat down beside her. "I promise you Elira, I tried to talk to him but he wouldn't listen." Snape insisted.

"My father has gone to Hogsmeade for the night." Elira explained, trying to make conversation. Something she didn't really want to do at that moment.
"Are you just going to stare at that box or are you going to open it? it's not the chamber of bloody secrets." Snape scoffed sarcastically, a slight warmth shining in his eyes despite his sarcastic tone. "I have opened it, but I don't want it." Elira explained simply.

"Who is it from?" Snape asked nosily, "Bogdan, it's a grovelling letter and a shitty necklace."

"The infamous Bogdan, that's a name that seems to pop up rather too much for my liking." Snape scowled, slightly jealous. "Too much for your liking? what do you mean by that?" Elira chuckled playfully. Snape caught her chin with his finger and replied softly...
"Elira, can't you see by now?"

Snape reached towards her slowly, bringing his lips a breath away from hers. He brushed against them briefly then pulled away swiftly.
"I'm sorry, I shouldn't have.." he stammered awkwardly. "I'm glad you did." Elira reassured him placing her hand on his and holding it tight. His eyes fell to his hand and then up to her face, she was smiling at him.
He swallowed hard.

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