Act Four, Scene Three: In the greenhouse
Act Four, Scene Three: In the greenhouse
200 words
Challenges: Supporting Character: Neville; Valentine's Day
Warnings: I believe the word we're looking for is "treacly."
A/N: Do the British even celebrate Valentine's Day? Well, now they do. St. Gulik has spoken.
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Neville and Hermione looked up from their work when Snape appeared in the greenhouse door. Neville hastily finished repotting his flutterby plant and prepared to depart, but Hermione bade him stay. "Whatever you have to say to me, Headmaster, you may say in front of Neville." She stripped off her gardening gloves and crossed her arms.
Snape cleared his throat a few times. "Happy Valentine's Day, Hermione-"
"Don't you mean 'Happy hyper-commercialization of an obscure Catholic saint's day'?" she replied nastily.
"I didn't mean that," muttered Snape.
"Well …"
"Please accept my apologies."
She sighed. "Where are we, then, Severus? I just can't tell."
"Hermione, when one is … when one has lived a life apart from love …" He swallowed and looked away.
Come on, old boy, thought Neville, you can do it.
"One doesn't … I don't know how to convey feelings. But this might help." He brought forth a maroon envelope. "It's a poem, of sorts. From me," he added.
Neville grinned. Snape shot him a glare that once might have sent him running. But when Hermione's look softened as she accepted the letter, Neville finally withdrew, confident that Snape's gesture would answer all her questions.