The rapid steps of the fuming professor echoed through the halls as her heels touched down on the floor furiously as her short frame walked pointedly to the headmaster in his office. Her voice was crisp and sharp as she spoke the password to the office, "blood pops." The office was busy with paperwork everywhere as well as trinkets and decorations making the professor feel uncomfortable in the mess as she needed order.
"Ah, I was heading to dinner, actually, may we attend together?" Albus asked lightly with a twinkle in his eyes but she merely sighed.
"No, I will be quick. I quit." Albus was a little surprised but expected that a similar conversation would occur, just not this quickly.
"I thought you would come to this conclusion eventually although do you mind explaining?" The two pairs of eyes sparkled but Athena knew her eyes sparkled with fury.
"I hate him and he hates me. We fight and when I act like an adult he just launches more insults with even deeper meanings. I help him and he just gets annoyed. He doesn't think he needs help and yet I spend a lot of time helping him and he just shouts his head off with the fact that I am not needed so I want him to see the truth but I am not returning. No amount of persuasion will bring me back." Her voice was a soft one but the annoyance radiated from it just the same. Athena started pacing and didn't stop when she got a reply.
"I know he is insufferable at times, are you perfect? I am grateful for you helping at Hogwarts and I believe all of the other professors have loved your company not to mention students who you have helped whether with classwork or redirecting Severus' rage from them to you. I only ask for you to stay for the school year." Athena started to shake with rage at his words, not believing his audacity.
"I have spent years working in St Mungo's, healing the stubborn and talking with the mentally deranged but he has pushed me too far and I cannot let this happen. I cannot go insane because he cannot handle that he isn't the same as before. Neither of you are, I mean, I can tell when you try to read my mind but before you never had an issue with reading even the most closed-off minds without them knowing." Albus nodded knowingly and sighed, standing and placing an arm around her shoulders.
"I received a message for you actually from a Melanie Carrow saying 'it is done' although I have no clue what 'it' is." Athena nodded sweetly and looked to be pondering something when she replied.
"I wish to leave tomorrow then I shall decide whether I return." Albus nodded and agreed.
With the conversation, Athena didn't realise that she had been walked to the dining area and a few faces looked to be questioning her when the name of Carrow was mentioned. "What do you have to do with a Carrow?" Snape sneered and Athena sat reluctantly next to him in the only empty seat and filled her plate.
"None of your business," she responded rudely with a hint of pure hate for him. Snape rolled his eyes and continued.
"Tomorrow..." only to be cut off by Athena with sharp hating words.
"I am leaving tomorrow." A few professors and students looked at her wanting to know what she had meant by that and Minerva piped up from her right.
"Forever?" Athena only shrugged a 'most probably' at those around her and Snape felt guilt and fear of the headmaster well up in him. The meal passed with a few questions for the young witch and she answered quietly to those who were curious. Albus watched and feared that she would leave before needed. Snape needed her and everyone, even Snape himself, as well as students, knew this. Athena smiled a curt smile and stood from the table abruptly as she left swaying slightly as she did.
When finally in her room she changed into her pyjamas, praying that no one would summon her to the hospital wing again and embarrass her in her sleepwear. That night she wore a long dress that was white and black. The white and black fabric fit well to her body and showed none of her curves as she laid in bed and removed anything sleep didn't need, her glasses were placed on the bedside table. With a loud knock at the door, she climbed from her bed and made her way down the stairs slowly as she stifled a yawn at the bottom of the steps. The candles had just been re-lit and she opened her eyes a little more as she got used to the light. Reaching and swinging the door wide open revealed a Professor Snape. "Again?" Was asked sounding exasperated but Snape shook his head and gave a curt, 'no' so Athena invited him in.
"How may I help you?" She asked feeling tiredness wash over her and groggy eyes were awakening noticing the time to be midnight. "Let me guess, stealing children's happiness or just murdering them as they sleep?" She questioned and Snape huffed whilst sitting across the table from her.
"Why do you want to leave?" His voice was tired and it was obvious he had just drunk a potion as he kept swallowing hoping to lose the taste of it from his mouth. Her reply was honest and to the point.
"You." Severus nodded slowly and went to reply but stopped himself.
"What happened to make you so quiet today?" He questioned slowly and she just lightly laughed shaking her head 'no'. Snape enjoyed the sound of the light laugh and looked thoughtfully at her. "The Carrows are bad people," He finally stated after thinking about the day they had just endured.
"Not all of them. I know the twins were bad but their younger brother and his wife are pleasant enough, actually, I care a great deal for them. I am seeing them tomorrow," Snape snapped his head straight to her eyes and saw pure honesty which he couldn't believe.
"How do you know them?" His voice was low and cautious.
"My business Severus," Athena grunted and Snape glared at her with his dark eyes making the witch slightly laugh in response to him which he enjoyed and weakened his intense gaze. "It's late," Athena mumbled feeling done and not wanting to fight whilst she was so poorly dressed. Snape stood and grabbed her hand pulling her to her room where he left her and swiftly exited the room to his own private quarters. Athena blew air through her nose so rapidly that a slight snort was sounded as she turned back to her bed in utter darkness.
The next day arrived and Athena exited the castle with her bags packed and shrunk into the pockets that resided in her tight black distressed denim jeans. Although she was packed she promised Albus to think about staying and she intended to keep to that promise. When she was leaving the double doors that granted entrance to the castle she saw her brown owl return and she knew her aunt and uncle had received her letter making her move quickly to remove herself from the grounds and to apparate.
The air was thick and hung limply around those visiting but quickly the couple could be seen standing at the entrance to a large house that they now owned. After the warm greeting Mrs Carrow spoke quickly, "are you sure?" To which Athena nodded and responded.
"I do not wish to stay where my parents lived and I know you didn't like your parent's house, you can also obviously afford the house too. I think mother would love for you to live here with your children, in holidays though I would like to keep my room as mentioned but of course if it is inconvenient that is fine." Mrs Carrow shook her head and assured her it was fine with the plenty of rooms in the house, that one room would be untouched. Slowly, the three all walked to two graves located on the grounds of the large house that she once called her home but no more. Mr Carrow squeezed her shoulder tightly when they stared at the new graves. If it wasn't for his strong grip she would have dropped to the floor as tears tore her innocent face apart with the heart-wrenching sobs that shook everyone who could hear to their very core. Birds seemed to stop flying above them and silence was found aside from the cries and pleading that the small witch sounded.
"Please. Mum. Dad. I need you. I need you to remind me to stay calm even in the face of idiots. I. I. Love you." Athena brought out between sobs and the two with her had a face covered in silent tears.
After an hour Athena decided to head into the manor and the three drank tea. "So, how is work?" Theodore asked sweetly as he sipped away at his drink.
"Oh, I tried to quit yesterday and so I am looking to go elsewhere. The muggle world even, but I promised Albus I would think on it first." The two older magical personnel looked shocked then Melanie continued the conversation.
"I thought your boss was Agnus. Why would you quit?" Athena realised the confusion and set it straight with an explanation. "Oh, don't let him bring you down. Your mother always told me growing up to 'bite a bitch till the fight is over' so bite him though only metaphorically. Us Yaxley children were tough kids." Melanie smiled as she thought of her older sister who she cared so very much for. The drinks were soon forgotten as the three talked and eventually Athena was certain of her decision.
"Well, it is late and I have children to kiss goodnight." Melanie sighed when the clock hit seven and so Athena waved goodbye and apparated to her home in London. There she wept for an hour as she looked at pictures of her parents with little her, all three of them smiling and waving as her father spun her around merrily. After she was sure no signs of crying were left Athena apparated to Hogwarts' gates and let herself in. The grounds were barren and she sighed heavily just before the doors were heaved open. The halls were empty and no students had wandered out past time so she felt relieved until Filch approached.
"Student out of bed," He spoke unsure and quietly but Athena interrupted his thoughts.
"It is just me Argus, Athena." He nodded and gave a weak smile which was returned broadly. Athena entered her room and slouched feeling a tear slip down her face but swiftly stopped when she noticed three bodies in her room.
"Athena, I am so glad you have come back. I shall like to talk to you about something though." She nodded and sat at the table placing her face into her hands. It was obvious to anyone that she was drained so the three made it quick as Albus spoke and Minerva comforted the small which, Severus watched silently not saying a word.
Athena agreed and nodded willingly to the plan which Albus had set out until she came into it. "You see, we would like for you to show the children how their studies will help them, you obviously needed potions, transfiguration, defence against the dark arts, charms and many more..." Athena listened and nodded not really caring about anything aside from being alone.
"I will do it, but, when?" Athena interrupted the headmaster who answered quickly sensing she wanted to cry all alone for a while. The three all stood and left but remained at the door as she also got up with a few tears falling as she did. With a wave of her wand the room was again decorated and she was in her pyjamas which were effectively the laziest set of clothes she owned. The room was lit with warm candles as she read the letter from the hospital again. Minerva walked from the door and laid a hand on her bare shoulder and rubbed it comfortingly. Athena slightly jumped but got over it as she folded it before Minerva could read it.
"My dear, what is the matter?" Athena was tugged slightly to the sofa and she grabbed a cloak to cover up. The door closed with both men outside not wanting to pry into the life of the sweet girl.
"Minerva I don't know what to do. I am only here because of my aunt and uncle." Athena mumbled,
'bite a bitch' as she handed the letter to the transfiguration professor who sat properly on the sofa. Minerva could see the care that even those tending to the witch and wizard in the hospital felt for them. "They were good people, even if they were pure-bloods and all that nonsense." Minerva smiled as she pulled the young girl close to her. The two sat for a small while with Minerva having her chin on the girl's beautiful blonde and brown hair that naturally slightly curled. After a while, Athena had slowly moved down so her head was on the woman's lap as the two were fast asleep in their own worlds. The sofa they perched on was blue with the two armchairs being red. The fabric was more modern than expected and seemed almost new to those who saw it.