Second time around
After giving Draco his final admonishment to behave himself, Severus headed off toward a shadowy patch of wall nearest the bar. It seemed that was the focal point of most of the trouble yesterday, so he might as well start his vulture-like lurking there now. He folded his arms across his chest, in part because unconsciously he felt nearly
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Well, Hermione wasn't a child anymore, and she wasn't going to act like one. She nodded, unconsciously drawing herself up to her full height as she said briskly, "Thank you."
She resisted the urge to bite her lip nervously as she took a deep breath and began the speech she'd rehearsed earlier that day. "I just wanted to apologise for what happened last night. It was inappropriate, and my behaviour was unbecoming to my status as Hogwarts Professor and Head of Gryffindor House. I'm sorry that you had to get involved, and I wanted to assure you that nothing of the sort will happen again. I hope this doesn't affect our working relationship when Hogwarts reopens."
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He did not miss the tone, either. As her professor, he had heard her regurgitate, verbatim, every textbook answer to any question he had posed, and her tone now suggested similar careful rehearsal.
Still, he was not unmoved. That she would go to such trouble at this juncture spoke well of her intentions. He never gave marks based on intention, of course, but she was at least making more of an effort than the Metamorphmagus who was seven years her senior.
Once again he inclined his head.
"Headmistress McGonagall and I always enjoyed our friendly rivalry in regards to the House Cup. Regardless of rumours to the contrary, it was friendly, though heated. I see no reason for that to change at this juncture."
He smirked at her in amusement, thoroughly enjoying her discomfort. It was, perhaps, fortunate for him that he had such a sadistic streak, as there were few other opportunities for amusement in his life otherwise.
"Hogwarts ought to represent a place which both celebrates our differences and promotes unity and acceptance, don't you agree? Apology is accepted.
"As our first step toward setting a good example for our colleagues and the assembled alumni, I hope you will consent to open this evening's dance with me?"
Well, he had committed himself to dancing with all his fellow professors, and even already engaged Nymphadora for sometime during the evening. It seemed only 'fitting' that the two heads of house of the most intensely competitive houses ought to 'set the tone'.
Besides, it would add to Ms Granger's discomposure all the more.
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He spoke of the Hogwarts cup and friendly rivalry and Hermione realised that her job would entail much more than she'd anticipated; she'd be a fixture at the castle, interacting closely with the staff and students, trying to keep her House from losing points and losing face. It was much more than just teaching and reprimanding the misbehavers.
Hermione swallowed hard and nodded in acknowledgment when he accepted her apology, very much ready to end this encounter as soon as possible.
And then he asked her to dance.
She shot him a sharp look, wondering if he was having her on; she well remembered that Tonks had literally had to drag him onto the dance floor the night before. But he was apparently serious about the offer, and Hermione realised that she had scant seconds left to accept before she seemed intimidated or flustered, both of which, of course, she was.
"I'd be delighted," she responded with an aplomb she didn't actually feel.
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"It is not necessary to feign 'delight', Professor Granger," he said wryly. "Honesty is a virtue which you always seemed to have in abundance. Nevertheless, I assure you I will not trod on your toes or exsanguinate you, as you valiantly force yourself to endure my company."
The vampire reference really did amuse him greatly. He half hoped that the new lot of students at the 'new' Hogwarts picked up on the ridiculous rumour. He might have to release a bat in the common room himself, just to help it along.
"You might spare a moment of pity for me, when you realise I intend to honour all my colleagues likewise, which includes Professor Tonks."
He raised a meaningful brow and tapped his toe to emphasise his point, the very sturdy black boots shining almost as brightly as his eyes, as he regarded her in sardonic amusement.
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"Good evening, Professor Snape, Professor Granger," she greeted warmly (though, admittedly, most of the warmth was directed towards Hermione). "I hope I'm not interrupting."
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Severus regarded the Auror-turnt-Defence Professor sardonically. Her referral to him as 'Professor Snape' after calling him 'Sev' yesterday and all but attempting to bodily drag him to the dance floor amused him greatly. It would take far more than an easily assumed professional demeanor and a respectful appellation to alter his opinion of her maturity level.
"Professor Tonks," he said with a slight incline of his head as he raked her appearance critically. "I see that we have matured beyond the bubble-gum pink preferred by five-year-olds, to impersonating a Muggle barbie-doll. An advancement in maturity of nearly half a decade in one evening, I am grudgingly impressed."
He leant forward conspiratorially and lowered his voice so the two women could just hear him over the hum of the crowd.
"I will thank you both not to inquire how it is that I became familiar with that particular Muggle object. I fear it would be unflattering to some of the former children of my House."
The blasted doll permeated everything, and the wizarding world was no exception. More than one eleven year old Slytherin girl had entered his house with a trunk full of the ruddy things, supposedly stashed away to be 'secret'. Muggle toys were almost as quickly ridiculed as Mudbloods.
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She wrinkled her nose slightly at the mention of barbie dolls. "I never did like those blasted things. Never understood the appeal of dolls, really."
"However, I'll pass that comment onto Claire. His goal, I believe, when he made me this dress, was to give the impression of a Muggle super model. I doubt I managed to pull that off, but at least it matches my personality."
She said this easily, but there was no mistaking the emphasis on the last part. Without pausing, she continued: "That's one of his, isn't it? I'd recognize it anywhere. Such beautiful stitching."
Tonks, realizing that er colleagues were not style inclined, back tracked. "My mother always had a taste for fashion, and she raised me to appreciate it as well."
That, she knew, she had in common with her cousin.
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Not that Snape gave a rat's arse about stitching or 'designer names', not in the least. It was merely that he was intensely private and did not like his 'fashion sense' or lack thereof being bandied about so casually.
He might have to reconsider the other items he had ordered. Surely he could find a less 'popular' tailor with similar skill.
"I was not aware that 'Barbie' qualified as a 'Super Model', or that the average 'Super Model' had much in the way of 'personality' to 'match', but if this was the effect you were seeking, you have succeeded magnificently."
His sarcastic tone clearly revealed that he did not intend this as a compliment, though it was not as cutting as when he was generally angry. For Snape, he was merely 'teasing', though most people had experienced this so seldom, it was almost impossible to recognise as such.
She actually looked very becoming, but there was no way in hell he would say such a thing. He also had no intention of discussing where he purchased his clothing.
"So, have you opened the betting as to precisely what hour your flat will be destroyed beyond repair, given that you have allowed the Weasley Twins free rein there?"
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"Well, since it's meant to start a little after nine, I suppose it's only logical to extend the realms of the pool until the same time tommorrow morning. I suppose you'd be taking 9:01?"
She raised an eyebrow at him, smirking just a little.
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"No, Ms Tonks, I assure you my opinion of you is not quite so low as that implies. You have stated that you trust your friends, and have apparently made some small acknowledgment of their deplorable behaviour yesterday. I will grant that your word might carry some influence with even the worst of the lot."
He paused in this amusing speculation as more people entered the room. What there was of 'good humour' slid away from his visage as surely as though a dark cloud had passed over his face. His eyes alighted upon Theo and one of the Weasley twins as they lingered near the entrance.
"Seeing as how Tweedle Dee is being kept company by one of mine, and Tweedle Dumb is not quite so destructive alone as when they are together, I give it until half ten."
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"I usually call them Thing One and Thing Two, but I suppose Tweedle Dee and Tweedle Dum work just as well," she said, looking thoughtfully at the new couple. Well, they looked like one. She wasn't sure if they were yet, given Fred's tendency towards being a commitmentphobe, but she was fairly certain. Their body language had all the signs.
Deciding she'd put the man through enough discomfort already, she didn't mention that she thought that this new relationship was a good thing. Instead, she steered the conversation to more nuetral ground.
"The reconstruction job really was remarkable, wasn't it? If you didn't look too close, you would have thought nothing had changed. I confess I spent a little too much time in Hufflepuff, as lost in memories as I was, that I missed out on seeing the dungeons entirely. Did they fare well?"
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She followed Professor Snape's gaze and raised an eyebrow at what she saw. "Is that Fred Weasley and Theodore Nott holding hands? I hadn't put much stock in Rita Skeeter's article, but..." She refused to let the words it seems she was right cross her lips in regards to that lying cow. "Hmmm."
She turned her attention back to Tonks and replied, "Yes, the dungeons were mostly undamaged, so they're still the orginal Hogwarts dungeons that the Founders constructed."
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Until the dancing commenced this evening, there were few people in the room who would have been able to claim to see him at it, as he never made any nod toward celebrations at any student function. It would be unseemly. Albus had danced at some of the balls, of course, but then he was Albus.
Which was not to say Severus could not do it. One did not spend the greater part of one's early adulthood in close proximity with the likes of the Malfoys and not have to learn some of the 'social graces', and Narcissa's love of music meant that dancing was high on the list. Many of their 'dinner parties' had degenerated into impromptu dances, much to Severus' annoyance. However, at least he would not disgrace himself this evening.
The implacable mask settled back over his face at the mention of Hogwarts, his dungeons, and the wash of memories he was still trying to suppress since the tour.
"I found the dungeons remarkably unchanged," he said stiffly, though his eyes were once again drawn to Theo and Weasley at Ms Granger's comment, his jaw clenched.
"Yes. The Ginger lot seems to have a strange appeal to several of my acquaintance."
He caught himself short, amused suddenly at the blatant contradiction of sentiment he had been harbouring since his conversation with Draco a short while ago. He was extremely angry and indignant that one Weasley would dare to 'reject' Draco for no better reason than the prejudice of his so-called 'friends', yet he was also extremely angry and indignant at Theo that he refused to reject 'his' Weasley in favour of Severus' prejudice.
Severus Snape was cruel and petty and all the rest which has long been established... but, he was also very adept at being honest with himself when he chose to be. Not only that, but he was not above 'changing his mind' when the situation seemed to call for it--or at least when he thought the outcome would be in his favour.
Such as rubbing Granger's nose in her own prejudice before she could do the same to him.
"At least Theo and Mr Weasley seem to have the opportunity to explore their interest without outside pressure." His black eyes met hers as his tone became slightly accusing. "Some people are unable to rise beyond their prejudice to allow their friends equal freedom."
He raised his brow at Hermione in unspoken challenge, then bowed very slightly to both women.
"If you will excuse me, I believe I will go and have a word with Theo and his companion."
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No doubt Ron had had to tell Malfoy something, and of course he must have gone whinging to his protector. Some things never changed.
And as far as Hermione was concerned, that included Draco Malfoy.
She ignored her hot cheeks and lifted her chin. Before the dark man had a chance to take his leave, she responded, "It has nothing to do with prejudice, Professor Snape, a word that perhaps you shouldn't be throwing around so casually while we are discussing Draco Malfoy, no matter how obliquely. It has to do with not wanting to see my friend get hurt, or make an enormous mistake by falling in with someone who has proven time and again just what kind of a person he is. Prejudice is judging a person for what they are, not who they are, and Malfoy has never shown himself to be anyone but--well, someone who is exactly wrong for Ronald Weasley."
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"I sincerely hope children in the heart of a war would have managed to mature and change for the better. Mr Malfoy is no exception to that, though you refuse to allow the possibility."
His smirk, as close as he generally came to a true 'smile' became much more reminiscent of his usual sneer as he attempted to 'jab' just a little closer to home.
"Are you trying to protect Mr Weasley, or are you merely jealous that his preference is taking an unexpected direction?"
He would not quite be so rude as to hint that she was trying to 'keep' Weasley to herself, but then, the implication was clear enough for someone with her intelligence.
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"No, I judge Malfoy for who he is, for his actions and choices. I'm not arbitrarily looking at his status as a pureblood or some other aspect of him outside of his control; I'm looking at who he is as a person, and all I've seen from him at this reunion is antagonism and manipulation, which doesn't lead me to believe that he's changed much these past five years."
Huffily, she added, "And I have no problem with Ron's preferences in gender, actually, nor with him dating other people."
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