Reminder:

Paragraph in italic is past memories.

Single quotations is Florina speaking to Rose in her mind.

Florina's POV:

The news of my magical class spread like wildfire and soon after, all the students were talking about it. Even Professors coming up to me and congratulating me on my new and "revolutionary" way of teaching.

"Come in," I said loudly immersed in grading essays of the past week.

"Good afternoon Florina," it was Professor McGonagall.

I got up at once addressing her, "Good afternoon Professor," gesturing for the chair opposite the office desk, "Please have a seat."

"No need for the formality dear," she smiled as she sat, "just call me Minerva."

"Oh... sure," I grinned "How can I help you Minerva?"

She shook her head still smiling, "It's alright dear, I just came to congratulate you on your success."

"Thanks Professor... Even though it was a week ago," I chuckled.

"I am sorry dear, I wanted to come here sooner but you are aware of the responsibilities-" I quickly shook my head "Oh no Minerva, I didn't mean that... I just meant that many more of those classes were made so it's alright."

She nodded, "As Professor Dumbledore told you before, that unique way is revolutionary."

I chuckled remembering how Rose would put the word between air quotations and tease me with it after every class.

"I am honored," I sat on the chair opposite to her "but I feel that this wasn't why you visited me today."

"Indeed Florina," she nodded "Of course you are aware of the educational theater that will take place next month."

"Yes I heard about it but, what is it?" I asked shifting in my seat.

She leaned forward, "Oh... well it was invented after you left Hogwarts by our headmaster Florina. It's a huge convention that is held every year in the great hall and its full of educational content and skits for the students. The parents of the students are invited and also some of the ministry officials. Of course the minster himself will too be attending that event" she straightened "And every year we have a host for the entire event. They get the first segment and introduce all the other segments. Are you with me so far?"

I nodded. "Well... the professors get to vote who the next host should be and this time an overwhelming amount of us voted for you to be the host."

She stopped at my dropped jaw and chuckled.

I swallowed hard, "But Minerva, it's only a month away. I am not at all prepared. I am just hearing this all for the first time from you. And you said the minster will be there, that's huge!" I exclaimed putting a hand over my racing heart, feeling my anxiety increasing.

She leaned forward putting her hand over mine, "Don't worry dear, that's why I am here. I will give you the topic you will do the segment on."

I nodded my fear slowly fading. "So your segment will be on magic in the medieval times and the hardships the witches and wizards faced to hide their magic," she gave me a huge old dusty book that had a fragile cover, "Here. This will help you with your research and if you still feel the need to know more about the subject, there are more books on it in the restricted section. Are you ready my dear?"

"Well I can't say I am not overwhelmed but yes I will give it a try," I smiled.

She stood up grinning as well, "Florina, you are a young woman full of many talents. I am sure we all picked the right Professor for this."

"I will do my best to not let you all down," I stood up too.

"That's the spirit and remember dear if you ever needed any help, you can always come to me or the headmaster."

"Thank you Minerva," I nodded. Giving me a final farewell, she turned on her heel and disappeared.

When Minerva finally left, I closed the door with a spell and leaned back taking a deep breath.

"Rose, what just happened?" I looked over at her awe-struck laughing nervously.

"Apparently your class was so revolutionary," she slowed down dramatically and did a double quotation as I chuckled, "that you are wanted to host that event... whatever it is".

I straightened up running my fingers through my hair, "Ro you don't get it. That's not just an ordinary event. Didn't you hear how Minerva explained it," I threw my hands in the air and exclaimed, "It's a freaking theater!"

She shrugged, "Flo, why are you stressing out? You will do great I am positive."

I shook my head, "No Rose you don't get it. It's not just a class where I walk in, do a bunch of tinker bell dustology and walk out. It's a theater with the minister himself for Godric's sake."

"I still believe you can do it with practice. You nailed it this past week, you know the basics by now. You know how to control and manipulate the dust, I am sure you will do great."

I let out a long sigh running my fingers through my hair nervously, "But what if I mess up? What if I lose control? I almost lost control yesterday when the class went on for too long," I got up and started pacing, "I cannot afford for this to happen to me again."

Rose flew to stand beside me and touched my shoulder, "Florina, look at me," she ordered, "Relax. You got one month to practice and you have Professor McGonagall and me. You are not in this alone alright."

I nodded. Rose sighed and hugged me tight and proceeded to pat my back. This maneuver always helps me calm down and replenish my energy.

I abruptly broke our hug, "Oh my Godric! Ro my energy!" I exclaimed.

She shrugged confused, "What about it?"

"What if I lose my energy on stage? You using your dust and me manipulating it for long times drains my energy away. That's why I lost control the other day, I got weak."

There was a moment of silence. "What are our options if that happens again?" I asked trying to think out loud with her.

"Well you have two options, one is to immediately stop whatever you are doing and wait it out. I can hug you to make that process faster but it will still take longer."

"And two?"

She gave a nervous sigh, "Well, two is a bit more complicated but it is our best option... you have him hug you. The warmness of his heart will replenish your energy in a matter of minutes."

I gave her a suspicious look, "Whom are you taking about? If you are talking about Patrick, well that's impossible," I immediately dropped my gaze to control my threatening tear.

The fairy shook her head, "Of course not. You know whom I am referring to?"

I took a deep breath, "No I...oh wait," I paused slowly understanding what she meant, "NO WAY!" I exclaimed.

She hovered closer frustrated, "Flo, it's our best shot here alright, you have to ask him -"

I laughed, "If you hate me that much just say so but please don't make me go to the spawn of Satan personally and ask him to freaking hug me," she laughed, "Death by his bare hands will be the least of my worries."

A sudden knock on the door startled us both as we were deep in conversation.

"Who is it?" I asked nervously and then quickly realizing I should have told the person to come in instead of asking for identification as if I was in Gringotts.

A cold deep voice scoffed, "What a foolish question?"

Both of us recognized whom the voice belonged to and looked at each other dramatically snickering, "Well speaking of Satan..." Rose added which made me laugh even more as I went back to my desk.

"Sorry come in," I unlocked the door with a spell.

The mysterious wizard opened the door rather aggressively and entered scowling as usual and closed it behind him.

I didn't forget our previous encounter and neither did he apparently as he stiffly sat in front of my desk his expression indifferent. 

Is he coming to congratulate me like Minerva?

If I knew my Ex potions master well, he won't ever do that unless he needed something from me which in this case I cannot really guess what would he be needing.

I smiled nervously, "Good afternoon Professor."

He nodded but remained silent. I coaxed again, "That's a rather surprising visit. Can I help you Sir?"

He turned to me, "I am not here for small talk Miss Woods so why don't you save your efforts. I am here for of a complaint issued...against you."

I raised a brow, "Me!"

"Yes Miss Woods," he nodded and resumed coldly, "Apparently you have been taking points from the Slytherin house unjustifiably and as the Head of Slytherin I am bound to ask, why?"

I leaned forward and spoke calmly, "May I ask whom issued this complaint?"

He cocked a brow, "No you may not. Just answer the question."

"Well, the reason I am asking you this is if I knew any better," I shrugged as the cold hearted wizard glared at me for diverting his question, "I would say our young Mister Malfoy was the one to complain which is understandable considering his previous record."

He shifted in his seat but remained impassive, "This has nothing to do with Mister Malfoy as it wasn't just one complaint."

I cocked my head to the side, "Oh, the whole house then. Again understandable."

"You haven't answered the question," he pointed out frowning.

I got up from my seat and sat opposite to him, "Sir I am not committing a crime or anything unjustified. The Slytherins expect me to favor them and let their obnoxious behavior pass in my class. Any sort of that behavior in my class is unforgivable. I am just doing my job."

He leaned forward and whispered, "Is it included in your job description to detect fifty points from just one student?"

I nodded, "Sorry that is untrue. This was from Miss Parkinson I believe and it was detention for a month AND fifty points."

"Don't get smart with me Woods," he shot in a warning tone.

I smirked but was shaking inwardly, "I am just stating the facts here Professor. However I can't seem to wonder, did you bother asking why those points were detected?"

"Woods. You are trading on thin ice," he whispered, dangerously low and that was when I knew I stepped over the line.

I calmed down and said slowly, "Sir, she and her gang abused and beat a first year Hufflepuff  girl in the girls bathroom to a pulp. If I haven't got there in time, it would have been too late."

He leaned back speechless and impassive but I could tell he was shocked. There was complete silence for a few minutes and then he started again, "Was the Headmaster notified of that incident?"

I nodded, "Yes Sir."

"Why wasn't I informed of the incident earlier?" he growled coldly, "When anything of this sort ensues, you notify the head of house prior to the Headmaster. I make the decision whether to notify him or not."

I was traumatized, "Sir you mean rectifying the situation quickly before he finds out as you are aware that telling the Headmaster means that the responsibility lands on you."

I was surprised by my sudden boldness and clearly he was too. One moment I am shy and sheepish and the next I am throwing remarks left and right. I was aware that my entire future laid in his hands but somehow that didn't faze me. He could easily take away the job that I was too proud of and mentioning so confidently.

He growled, "That is none of your business Woods! The last thing I need is to take advice from," he pointed at me disgusted, "you!"

I gave a long sigh and stood up, "You asked Sir and there was my answer."

He looked up at me and slowly got up too, "Here is an advice for you Woods. Act like a Slytherin. We are loyal and we don't wound each other behind our backs. It's a shame you are one of us."

"Sir there is a difference between being a Slytherin and being you," I smirked, "That's what you truly want sir and I am sorry to disappoint but THAT is never going to happen."

He got closer and we were eye to eye and I breathed in his scent, "Very well then. Run along to your Gryffindor dunderheads and we will see if they accept you as one of them," then he suddenly growled, "Wake up Woods! You are a Slytherin! You are marked to be hated for eternity no matter what you do or how fair you seem. No matter what you do for the wizarding world. No matter how much you risk your own life for those weasels. Those are the facts."

I was astounded by his statement, did he just reveal to me something about himself? He is not usually a person who slips up and blurts out important information.

But if what he said was true, what was he doing that requires to risk his own life for? And why was he getting so passionate about this whole thing, it is just some messily points after all.

Unless there was a much deeper meaning to his anger. A lot of questions started racing in my head that demanded answers.

I spoke calmly to get his attention, "Sir" I gestured for him to sit and brought my chair closer to him, "This isn't about me, is it? Your visit to me today wasn't just about me detecting points from Slytherin, am I right?"

He sat back and kept staring at me intensely. From what I gathered from his silence, there was a war inside him. Maybe he was wondering if he could tell me the real reason behind his sudden visit.

"Florina cease immediately!" he suddenly exclaimed startling me.

He didn't realize he called me by my first name again. I didn't want to point it out as I was sure he would dismiss the whole thing or worse, come up with another one of his precious mean "little" insults.

Instead I asked, "Cease what Sir?"

He leaned forward, "Your insolent bolstering. Stop asking question that you are well aware as much as I am will get you nowhere."

He read my mind! That's why he was staring at me.

It's said that with legimency you feel your mind getting penetrated and information forcefully snatched out of your mind. Well clearly that rule doesn't apply to the cold hearted wizard sitting in front of me and judging by his constant staring is still reading my mind.

With him it's so easy. So simple. He does it very gently and with ease, no pressure whatsoever. The only thing that gives it away is his unique stare. It is not just a gaze now that I have noticed, it's a probe that sucks out the information right out of the victim and if he does it for longer than usual, I have definitely fallen victim.

I opened my mouth to protest but he shot once more, "You ruined our chances from ever winning the house cup. You disappointed your entire house and you disappointed me," he paused and then went on coldly, "Where does your true loyalty lie Woods?"

"It always lies with Slytherin -" he quickly interrupted, "Now this begs the question, are you aware of the number of points that were detected so far just by your majesty?"

I quickly calculated in my head and then was stunned at the total. I whispered, "A hundred and twenty."

He nodded annoyed, "And the period frame... only one week."

"Sir, it's not my fault that some of the Slytherin students are always out of line," I leaned forward "if you are still doubting that my point detection was unfair, let's review them together. I am ready to show you that each and everyone one of those detected points were absolutely justified."

He huffed, "You have the audacity to think I have time to leisurely review points with you?" he shot angrily, "Why don't we play wizard's chess together while we are at it?"

I sighed frustrated, "Sir, I don't know how else I am supposed to prove my loyalty?"

"Be reasonable and remember your existence here isn't to gain friends especially with the enemy."

"I cannot be any more reasonable than I already am sir and Voldemort IS our only enemy."

He was taken aback, mostly he hated the sound of the name and whispered hotly, "Don't say his name!"

I shrugged smiling, "The name doesn't fear me anymore Professor Snape."

If eyes could kill, I am sure the daggers that were shooting from him would have done the job flawlessly. He was uncomfortable and annoyed by my cheek.

I, on the other hand, was completely stunned by my boldness and undoubtedly proud. He always seemed to have that effect on me. With him I am always challenged, always on edge as if we were in a competition.

I wish he would open up to me though, we would be great friends as this was certainly different than before. Now that I am all grown up, I wasn't as scared of him anymore.

Aside from the fact that my existence in Hogwarts rests in his hands. Before it was my entire graduation, my school life. Yes he used to favor me but if I would put a toe out of line or disobey him in anyway, I would have to face expulsion even if I was a Slytherin.

In a strange way it seemed that all this arguing and misunderstanding fuels me to get know him more. Fuels me to get closer to him. If only the feelings were mutual.

He whispered menacingly, "Have it your way then."

Giving me one last sharp glare, he stormed out of my office and slammed the door shut.

I turned to Rose and she gave me a confused look which is understandable considering the fact that I met her after my years at Hogwarts.

Naturally, she has no idea about the rivalry between the houses. The Slytherin loyalty has always been extreme as its, not surprisingly, it's one of our most dominant traits.

Some people, like Professor Snape, takes it too far and gets frustrated when all the other Slytherins aren't contributing. He unfortunately doesn't approve of the Slytherin Professors who stand up against some of the Slytherin bullies rather than "accidently" let those bullies off the hook.

In short, a die-hard Slytherin through and through.

"Well that was a pleasant visit," my astounded fairy spoke after a moments of silence.

"Tell me about it," I went back to my seat and took a deep breath, "when will things ever get right between us?"

Rose nodded and stood beside me grinning, "In due time."

I nodded smiling back at her secretly wishing that that said time arrives sooner. 

"Hey" Rose spoke again touching my shoulder lightly, "Let's get back to the matters at hand, your theater practice."

**********

"UGH... nothing in here as well," I groaned with frustration as I hastily threw the book back in its shelf.

It was two hours past midnight and I was searching for some material about the medieval times. But surprisingly I didn't find any in the library as if it was deliberately hidden.

What made me come to that conclusion was that all my summoning charms weren't working either. Usually, per my knowledge, it's supposed to work for Professors only and when the books do not arrive, it means that those books aren't there which is a rare occurrence.

How am I supposed to do my bit if I don't have the needed material? Does McGonagall know about this?

I remember her specifically saying... you will find all the material needed in the restricted section. Maybe it was the general idea, maybe she haven't checked in a long time?

I shook my head to deflect the arising questions formulating in my head and began to search for the books the muggle way. With the help of my now exhausted fairy.

"Find anything?" I asked loudly as I went to the other side of the shelf.

"No. Nothing," she was three rows down from me and I could feel her arising exhaustion.

I sighed and went to her, "You know what. Maybe we should pick this up tomorrow. I am tired, you are tired and the day has just been very... eventful."

She shook her head determined, "A quick reawakening charm should do the trick."

"Rose, it's the fifth time you used that charm on us," I stretched slowly yawning, "And we have been doing this for hours -"

She fixated me with a gaze determined, "Flora, we are NOT giving up," she turned and resumed her search, "Maybe we should change our tactic. This muggle thing will take us ages."

I stood beside her doing the same, "Alright, anything on your mind?"

She huffed putting a heavy dusty black book back with a thud that aroused dust making us cough.

"Let's... begin... "she said in between coughs, "with the letter M and work our way from there."

I nodded fanning my hand in front of us, "So any book that has medieval, magic, middle ages, dark ages, wizarding world, sorcery etc. in the title, put it on the desk over there," I pointed at the long table in front of the self, "lets meet in half an hour and see what we got."

We went in opposite directions to cover more ground. I went to the end section of the library with a huge M on top of the shelf, very thankful that books were arranged in an alphabetical order and started reading under my breath.

"Magic..., magic..., magic..., magically..., magic word.., magic world..., Mariolatry..., markhor..., marmoreal..., Martello..., matelassé..., mavrodaphne ...", I read as I quickly sped alongside the shelf.

As I moved to the next section which was 'Me' , my spirit rose with anticipation as the chances to find "medieval" was higher.

"mecate, meconium, medianic, medicaster, meditabund, medieval, meerkat, megacerine, ... oh wait", I abruptly stopped and went back a few rows.

I picked up the red book and its horrendous smell instantly hit me. Gaging, I read "Medieval potion making..."

I groaned, "That explains the smell" and shoved it back angrily. I browsed the row again for the word but didn't find what I needed. Only a few books about medieval sorcery and potions but that's about it.

I didn't even find records about the wizarding children or their families.

How did they teach them to control their magic? Was there an institution before Hogwarts? What was the relationship between Muggles and Wizards?

Now I was curious to know, a lot of questions were left unanswered.

Stubbornly, I refused to believe that there was only this little amount of books in the enormous library not to mention the restricted section of it.

I hurriedly went back to my Fairy and found her hovering over something on the table gazing at it intently.

"What is it?" I asked bewildered.

She was startled by my sudden presence and surprisingly tried to hide whatever was on the desk. Noticing that peculiar gesture, I immediately held her hand to take whatever was in it, which was a waded up paper.

It was a hand written note with poor writing. Smoothing it, I started clearly, "I know what you are searching for and it's not here. Don't waste your time."

I looked up at Rose, "Where did you find this?"

She pointed to the desk, "Right here when I got back. At first I thought it was just a random paper but I noticed it had your name on it on the back."

I turned the paper over and 'To Florina Woods' was written in the same untidy manner.

Rose hovered closer to me rereading the note which arose more suspension as we were the only ones in the library at the moment. Even Madam Pince left one hour earlier.

Who could have snuck in, took their time to write this note with the library's ink and snuck out without a trace?

"Whom do you think wrote it?" she demanded after a moment of silence.

I shook my head, "I have no idea. But whoever did it can clearly help us with finding the needed material."

She sighed tense, "And how are we going to find that person?"

I sat down thinking out loud, "Hmm... well they attempted to communicate with me but are trying to hide their identity for some reason. So they not only have the necessary information, this particular information apparently is dangerous judging by his strange behaviour."

Rose gasped, "Why would Dumbledore hand you a task if he knew it would serve as a threat to you?"

I shrugged, "That's just my deduction, I am not implying this is exactly true," I got up and took a deep breath, "But one thing is for sure, it certainly is not an easy task."

Author's Note:

Hey Guys! So my question of the day is, what's your opinion on the whole medieval issue. DO you guys think its a mystery or was Florina just looking in the wrong place? Comment what you think below and I will be responding to each one :)

And if you enjoyed the story, please show your support for it and my work by simply clicking the little VOTE star to the left of your screen or on the bottom of your screen if you are using a mobile phone.

Hope you have a wonderful day! See you in the next chapter ;)