Severus Snape did not 'raise his hand' to ask his question. His own personal arrogance would not allow him to offer even that display of subservience to anyone.
Rather ironic considering he did not hesitate to extract copious House-points for any student daring to behave thus in his class.
Even more ironic considering the question he was about to ask. He would not 'go easy' on her merely because his was the first question. Severus did not know how to throw the Quaffle, only bludgers. More often than not, his aim was true.
From his vantage point of leaning heavily against the back wall, partially concealed in the dim lighting, arms casually folded over his chest, he still had no difficulty in making his voice heard. Years of instruction had taught him to modulate it, using it as tool and often a weapon.
"Tell me, Doctor Burke," he drawled, placing delicate, sardonic emphasis on the affectation of the Muggle title, "What is it, precisely, which qualifies you to examine and interpret the emotional and mental status of your clientele, when you have gone to such lengths to close yourself off from your own emotions? Or have you never heard the expression, 'Physician, heal thyself'?"
One brow raised in eloquent challenge, the sardonic curl of his lips as close as he would get to a smile.
After all, there was heavy truth in the adage, it takes one to know one. Severus believed himself to be at least a little more self-honest than the good doctor. Perhaps she would prove him to be in error with that assumption.
Deirdre looked at Severus Snape impassively. It was in her training to avoid such looks as came to mind:
Pity.
Weariness.
Annoyance.
But why ought she to hold Snape's question against him? He could hardly know anything about her personal life, and thus was bound to judge her solely on her professional facade. Certainly, that facade and she had been one for a longer time than she cared to admit, but she had recently become convinced that she had left that false, restrictive self behind.
Besides, his obvious derision at the title she had devoted so many years of her life to obtain was not something she would allow to irk her. It had been many years since she had bothered to battle those with an obviously intrinsic prejudice against all things nonmagical.
"Professor Snape, I think I can understand the motivation behind your question. However--and I hope this serves as a sufficient answer--I do not consider myself at all closed off from my own emotions. At one point, your accusation might have been an accurate one, but at the present time, it is anything but.
"Recently, I underwent an ordeal that forced me to take a thorough self-inventory. Suffice it to say that I discovered a great deal about my own behavior over the past few years, and have taken the necessary steps to correct the few unhealthy repressions to which I still clung.
"Furthermore, I have also entered into a relationship and given of myself more than I ever have in the past."
Deirdre crossed her legs and folded her hands over her knee.
"I think you will agree that none of these things is a typical sign of an individual similar to the one you seem to be describing. I am perfectly capable--nay, suited, given that my own trials give me a unique qualification for empathy--to treat my clients in the expert manner that they deserve."
Rather ironic considering he did not hesitate to extract copious House-points for any student daring to behave thus in his class.
Even more ironic considering the question he was about to ask. He would not 'go easy' on her merely because his was the first question. Severus did not know how to throw the Quaffle, only bludgers. More often than not, his aim was true.
From his vantage point of leaning heavily against the back wall, partially concealed in the dim lighting, arms casually folded over his chest, he still had no difficulty in making his voice heard. Years of instruction had taught him to modulate it, using it as tool and often a weapon.
"Tell me, Doctor Burke," he drawled, placing delicate, sardonic emphasis on the affectation of the Muggle title, "What is it, precisely, which qualifies you to examine and interpret the emotional and mental status of your clientele, when you have gone to such lengths to close yourself off from your own emotions? Or have you never heard the expression, 'Physician, heal thyself'?"
One brow raised in eloquent challenge, the sardonic curl of his lips as close as he would get to a smile.
After all, there was heavy truth in the adage, it takes one to know one. Severus believed himself to be at least a little more self-honest than the good doctor. Perhaps she would prove him to be in error with that assumption.
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Pity.
Weariness.
Annoyance.
But why ought she to hold Snape's question against him? He could hardly know anything about her personal life, and thus was bound to judge her solely on her professional facade. Certainly, that facade and she had been one for a longer time than she cared to admit, but she had recently become convinced that she had left that false, restrictive self behind.
Besides, his obvious derision at the title she had devoted so many years of her life to obtain was not something she would allow to irk her. It had been many years since she had bothered to battle those with an obviously intrinsic prejudice against all things nonmagical.
"Professor Snape, I think I can understand the motivation behind your question. However--and I hope this serves as a sufficient answer--I do not consider myself at all closed off from my own emotions. At one point, your accusation might have been an accurate one, but at the present time, it is anything but.
"Recently, I underwent an ordeal that forced me to take a thorough self-inventory. Suffice it to say that I discovered a great deal about my own behavior over the past few years, and have taken the necessary steps to correct the few unhealthy repressions to which I still clung.
"Furthermore, I have also entered into a relationship and given of myself more than I ever have in the past."
Deirdre crossed her legs and folded her hands over her knee.
"I think you will agree that none of these things is a typical sign of an individual similar to the one you seem to be describing. I am perfectly capable--nay, suited, given that my own trials give me a unique qualification for empathy--to treat my clients in the expert manner that they deserve."
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