RP: Books & Things

[shh_hermione]

Date: 14 November 2004
Character(s): Hermione Granger, Severus Snape
Location: Library
Status: Private
Summary: A chance meeting and a common goal
Completion: Complete

Comments

[shh_severus]

Nervous energy had been building up in Severus Snape since last night. The arrival of the posse that very well could have been for him, even though it wasn't, his fight or flight instincts, he shouting match with Susan that had downgraded into their usual mode of conversation, and her question had all built up. That question gnawed at him: What are we going to do about you? He didn't know. He hated staying hidden but he couldn't reveal himself yet. He could talk to Avery, but he had no idea how the man would react if he saw that Snape was alive. They hadn't seen each other since long before Snape had outright betrayed the Death Eaters. And he could owl Minerva McGonagall, but she was the same. He wasn't going to alert anyone to his presence that might decide to turn him in or try to kill him. And beyond Susan, whose presence he could stand, and Granger and Tonks, neither of whom he was about to owl an invitation for tea, that left him with no one

[shh_hermione]

It was with some annoyance that Hermione found herself in the abandoned library. She'd managed to get the coordinates right, but had arrived right beside a table that she hadn't remembered being there. Her poor accuracy had resulted in her leg hitting the table, which had caused her to curse and reach down before she'd properly regained balance. She'd ended up falling against the table and hitting her sore side, which shot a wave of pain through her that brought tears to her eyes.

After taking a moment to accept and then ignore the pain, she straightened up and rubbed her side. Just when she thought it was finally healing, it would decide to remind her that it was still injured, as if Bellatrix Lestrange was taunting her from beyond the grave. It would be just her luck to now have some sort of odd haunted rib, she decided with a roll of her eyes.

She surveyed the dark library and whispered, "Lumos," before trying to find some sort of directory or map. It smelled musty and wet, which made her frown and think about the poor books that

[shh_severus]

Severus Apparated directly to the second floor of the library. He'd noticed when he'd met Granger here that the non-fiction, periodicals, and reference books were all stored on the main floor, but that wasn't what Severus was after yet. He had no use for Muggle reference books-- they were more backward and full of lies than the damned Daily Prophet had ever been

[shh_hermione]

After checking the area for possible danger, Hermione focused on her project. It really was quite awful. So many books were completely ruined, and others looked to be nearly as damaged. Why had no one put up a charm to protect them? Sure, it would be somewhat time consuming, but it was a simple spell that would have protected the texts from the weather damage

[shh_severus]

Severus wondered what charm one would use on oneself to reverse the damage of teeth grinding together as hard as his were right now. Was he truly this starved for compan-- magic? He cursed himself. He'd spent too long with no outside magic to cast.

"Granger," he spat, as if her name was a truly vile word, "spelling the damaged books from the second level to come down here would be a waste of time. Do not include those in your estimates. This table will do for damaged items, or are you not the witch you are reputed to be?"

He whipped his wand around so quickly he might have been trying to fell an army of Death Eaters, and hissed, "Engorgio!" The table swelled until it had more than enough surface area to compensate for two fifths of the books on the main floor. A bit of tricky transfiguration, and the table was ringed with a lip of wood that would contain the books even when they were stacked

[shh_hermione]

Hermione was considering the best option when Snape spoke. She glanced at him and arched a brow. "Professor, perhaps you didn't understand what I said," she snapped. "I never once suggested bringing damaged books from upstairs down here. What would be the purpose of doing extra work? I suggested that, instead of using your nicely transfigured table for them, we simply make the entire second floor useful for damaged items

[shh_severus]

Severus' eyes narrowed and he gave Hermione the glare that he usually saved for particularly disrespectful first years.

"Miss Granger," he said, voice low and dangerous, "You suggested that the area I designated for unsalvageable books was too small, including in your estimate the entire library. While I disagreed, I respected your estimate and corrected the table.

Perhaps his starvation for outside contact was not enough for his deep dislike of almost everyone living. Still, he was committed to this project. He wanted to flex his magical muscle. He just wasn't in the mood for them to murder each other in the process. Taking great delight in her apology and ignoring the assertion that she'd been right in the first place, he made his way upstairs.

"Keep things grouped by topic," he directed over his shoulder, "and alphabetical where possible."

[shh_hermione]

"Oh yes, you're a pillar of kindness and understanding," she said sweetly, wondering curiously if he actually thought the glare worked any longer.

"You really should consider saving that glare for those who might potentially be scared or intimidated," she suggested helpfully as she went up the stairs after him, pleased to be doing something productive after a rather lazy day.

She rolled her eyes at his instructions but didn't say anything. It had been a long week, and she really wanted to focus on getting the books protected, not bickering with a sulky forty-plus year old man. However, she couldn't resist asking, "Alphabetical by title or author or both, Professor?"