Learning of Worlds-Private

[HopesWings]

///That post was amazing.

Grey had listened silently, her eyes blank, as Snape spoke. The spells he had cast had been deflected, but Ellie needed to see the monster this man was. She knew Snape meant what he said; he would kill her. He had been more than willing to kill before, what would stop him now? But she felt no fear. She had grown more powerful than he knew. She had studied the Dark Arts, as was her habit, and she was not afraid to use them. Knowing Ellie could not see her smile or hear her words, she whispered softly, "You have ruined yourself in the girl's eyes. What would Sage think of you know?"Not giving him the chance to reply, she pushed him away from her. She walked over to where Ellie stood, frozen in terror. When she tried to place a hand on her shoulder, the child ducked away. Grey stared at her, confused. In the girl's dark eyes were unshed tears.

"I know Nan. I've known since shortly after I met him."The words of confession rolled off of Ellie's tongue, unashamed and unafraid. Grey clenched her fists, realizing she had been played at her own game by a child. "How?"she demanded. Ellie meet her eye.

"I was awake nearly the entire night. The walls of Hogwarts are easily heard through if you listen close enough. I heard them talking about Severus, Sage, you, everything. I know he made mistakes, but don't we all?"Ellie shifted her gaze to Severus, directing her words at him. "I knew, but I didn't care. Mistakes are made, but they don't determine a person's heart."

Grey looked between the two of them, her feral gaze hardening. "You would go with the man who played a hand in your mother's death?"she demanded, a taunt in her voice. She had no shame in trying to guilt the child. Ellie looked away.

"You have no proof of that. All you know is she left and did not return."

Grey snapped. "You were listening at the window!"Ellie nodded, still not looking at her. Grey shook her head, sighing softly. "You are no fool child. I should have known you would have been like your mother. She and I were always getting into trouble, hearing and learning of things we should not. You are more like her than you know."Grey turned away from the two of them, her gaze locked at some unknown point. "What will you do now?"

Ellie peaked at Severus, uneasy but unwilling to back down. "I will go to Hogwarts. I will learn. I will be a witch." She was seeking Snape's support. She did not want to do this alone.

"You are but nine. Children do not go to the school until they are eleven."Grey was grasping at whatever reason she could to prevent her going to Hogwarts.

Ellie bit her lip. "Perhaps, but that will not stop my going. Please Nan, understand. I know you're afraid, but I'm not. I'm ready."She was nearly pleading.

Grey shook her head. "If this is your decision, I will have no part in it. You will be on your own."

Ellie closed her eyes, fighting back tears. "Then I guess this is goodbye,"she whispered. Grey glared at her for a long time, emotions soaring through her. Without another word, the woman vanished up the stairs. A door slammed a minute later.

With her gone, Ellie allowed a single tear to escape. She wiped it away fiercely. She knew crying would do no one any good. She looked at Severus, her dark gaze filled with fright and hopelessness. "Please,"she whispered, "don't leave me too." It had been the same words spoken by her mother so many years before.