I can't escape myself -- September 1996

I raised my eyebrows at him.  Since when did he call Snape by that nickname?  It was so cruel.  And now he was being a jerk to me.  I pushed some hair away from my face.  "Dean, why are you acting like a jerk right now?" I asked him, trying to keep my cool and not smack my boyfriend right now.

I hated acting like this, but I was just so tired of everyone.  I was sick of everything.  I turned away from my fiance.  "Addie, just please, leave me alone," I requested.  I really did not want to continue this conversation with her any longer.  Without waiting or her to argue, I walked away from her.  I noticed that it was time for me to go down to the potions classroom.  My high was wearing off and now I was just flat out irritable.  I went down to the dungeons and set up all of my equipment.  I tried to focus mainly on my task in front of me, but I could not drown out his snide comments any longer.  I stood up quickly and turned to face him.  "Shut up," I said quietly.  I knew egging Snivvie on was not a good idea, but I just wanted him to give me a reason to punch him in the face.  The classroom went eerily quiet as I stood there in front of him as he started to scold me again, taking a point or whatever away from Gryffindor house for insufferable rudeness.  That was it; the straw that broke the camel's back.  It happened before I could even register what I was doing.  I punched Snivvie square in the face, I felt his overly large nose break beneath my fist.  I heard the classroom gasp and I turned on my heel and left the classroom, leaving all of my things behind.  Right now, I really did not care about any of it.  I knew that I was in deep trouble with having assaulted a professor, but it did not matter.  It felt so good.  The only bad thing about punching him was that I already had an injured hand.  I was sure that I just rebroke some of the bones or something by the pain that I was feeling.  I looked down at my hand and noticed that there was some of the grease monkey's blood on my knuckles.  When my gaze turned back to where I was walking I nearly ran into Uncle Remus.  Great.

It was my free period and I had decided that I would get out of my office and make sure people -- such as my nephew -- were behaving themselves.  I turned a corner and I was surprised that Dean nearly ran into me.  He looked a little crazed.  I could tell that he had gotten high just by the looks of him.  This was how he looked like when the high was leaving him, but there was somethign different.  "Dean... what just happened?" I questioned, looking him over.  I saw some blood on his knuckles and I put an arm around him so he could nto go anywhere and made him walk with me.

I walked quickly with my uncle, thinking that we needed to get to a classroom fast.  I felt like Snape was following me or something.  "Er... I'm pretty sure I just broke Sni -- Snape's nose," I amended quickly.  I was sure that Uncle Remus would not enjoy me using their old nickname for the git.  "He wouldn't stop with his remarks... I just lost it.  So I punched him and stormed out.  Now my hand is killing me and I'm sure that I'll be getting expelled or something.  I'm not exactly the model student here," I explained, wishing that I had better control of my temper.  Though I could nto help but smile a little bit at the thought of maing Snivellus bleed.  It pleased me, really.

It took all my self control not to laugh.  This was a serious matter; but how I would have loved to see Snape's face after being punched by a student.  I quickened my pace and walked Dean to the closest empty classroom.  "Dean, does this have anything to do with what you're taking, too?  It wasn't just about the remarks.  I've seen you handle the remarks plenty of times," I said softly.  I did not want to appear like I was scolding him, because I really was not, I just wanted to know what all was going on before I could help him.

I sighed and nodded.  "But that's not all of it, Uncle Remus," I said, defending myself.  "Snivvie has no respect for me.  He's gloating that Dad is in a bloody coma!  Who does that?  I know they hated each other... but honestly!  My dad he could..."  I took a deep breath to keep the tears from coming.  "He could die, and all Snivellus wants to do is say how happy he is that Dad got what he deserved?!  I can't just handle that.  I can handle people talking... but not when it's about my dad.  Not like this."  I looked at my uncle and could see the concern written all over his face.

I raised my eyebrows at Dean.  Snivvie?  Since when did he start using that name?  He was reminding me so much of his father right now.  I put my hand on Dean's shoulder.  "First thing we need to do... get that hand checked out again.  You probably rebroke a few of the bones punching a teacher in the face.  Second, I will go to Snape and talk with him while I send you to Dumbledore so you can speak to the Headmaster, okay?" I informed him.  I knew that this news was going to spread like wildfire and Dean really needed to talk to the Headmaster about everything before he gets himself expelled.

I stared at Uncle Remus and shook my head.  "I don't think I can talk to Dumbledore, Uncle Remus," I said quietly, knowing that his piercing blue eyes would be just as bad as my uncle's.  Though I did have to say that Uncle Remus beat Dumbedore's stare any day... especially with how much he knew me.

I stared at my godson and crossed my arms.  "You either talk to Professor Dumbledore or you talk to Professor Snape," I told him, thinking that would definitely make him go talk to the Headmaster.  I was going to deal with Snape.  I had to keep up a modicum of professionalism when it came to the students -- yes, even the students that were family.  Sometimes i had to give them an ultimatum to make sure that they did the right thing.  I knew Dean would choose the Headmaster over talking to the potions instructor.

I groaned.  Of course Uncle Remus was right.  I went to run my hand through my hair but stopped since it was aching.  "Can I at least get some ice first for this?" I asked, gesturing to my left hand.  It was throbbing and this was the only thing that I knew Uncle Remus would give me to help me with my hand.  I wanted to take something else... but I had to have a clear head when facing Dumbledore.

I nodded at my godson and sighed.  "Of course," I replied easily.  That was the easiest part of the entire thing that was going on right now.  How could Dean have gotten himself into this much of a mess?  I mean, honestly.  I conjured up some ice and handed it to him, wrapped in a cloth of course.  "Here... now, head to the Headmaster's office," I informed him.  I would be able to only walk so far with him before breaking away to head to the dungeons to go to Snape's office.  "I will know whether or not you spoke to him, mind you."  I gave him a pointed look as we started to walk.

I nodded at Uncle Remus.  "Thanks," I said, putting the ice to my hand.  I ended up walking more towards the office of Professor Dumbledore.  I had no idea what the password would be, though.  I was just about to call for my uncle when the gargoyles ended up moving aside and I knew that I could enter.  I stepped onto the staircase and climbed up.  I knocked on teh doors at the top of the stairs.  "Professor?" I called out, not opening the doors, though.  I did not want ot just walk in wtihout acknowledgement.

I figured that the young Mr. Black would be joining me in my office shortly, I just expected him to be escorted by either Professor Snape or Professor Lupin.  "Enter," I said, watching the nervous lad walk in.  I, of course, already heard about what had happened in Potions class.  "Please, sit, Mr. Black, and explain to me what happened," I told him.

I sat down and crossed my arms.  "Snape provoked me -- he insulted my dad saying that he deserved being in a coma... and I just got sick of it," I said shortly.  I knew that I was on grounds of suspension if not expulsion for punching a teacher, but at the moment I did not care.  It felt so good.

I sighed and shook my head.  "Dean, you understand that Professor Snape and your father have always hated each other?  And do you understand that he - however unprofessional it may be - chooses to taunt you because of that?  He sees his enemy in front of him in class every day.  You must not let it bother you so," I instructed the child.