Severus had plans, plans that involved a bottle of firewhiskey and a warm fire, a book, and his favorite chair. Plans that were dashed when as he made his way toward the dungeons he spotted the very slightest glance of blonde hair- as the owner rounded the corner out of sight.
Well, that wasn't going to happen. Not on his watch. Students out of bed was strictly prohibited, especially now that blasted Golden Trio had moved on and left the school to some much needed peace.
He rounded the corner and spotted her, long blonde hair down to her waist, back to him. He cleared his throat, in the way that he always did when he caught as student out of bed. It was a wonder to him she did not stop in her tracks but instead knelt onto the floor, carrying on whatever it was she was doing.
He rounded on her, surprised, and yet somehow not to find Luna Lovegood, knelt on the floor scooping a strange looking bug into her cupped palm.
"Last I checked the Ravenclaw common room was in the opposite direction of the dungeons, Ms. Lovegood." He sniped, his voice as harsh as he was able to produce. The snake had not stolen his voice from him, but it had stolen much of his energy. It seemed he'd never quite recovered from the venom it had poured into his veins.
"Oh yes, of course, apologies Professor Snape. I simply heard the cries of this dear creature and I couldn't possibly let him- well," her voice dropped, she cupped her free hand beside her mouth, as if to stop the insect from hearing her words, "die here. That would be rather tragic." Severus fought the urge to roll his eyes.
Perhaps he shouldn't have returned to teaching at all. Between his students, and his ever fading energy it was a wonder he had any life left in him at all.
"Professor Snape, if you don't mind my saying, you really should drink more Gillywater. It is very good for your stamina, and it can help with mood swings as well." She spoke in that same dreamy tone she'd always had. Enough to drive him to the brink of insanity, and sooth his nerves in the very same instant. Strange that one.
"I'm not even certain what you are on about now, Lovegood, do get to your dorm before I am forced to assign you detention."
"Oh please sir, if you see fit to assign detention that really is quite alright with me. I haven't been able to inspect the contents of cauldrons for Wurmongurs in quite some time. It would be a pleasure."
"I'm going to regret asking this, I know." He grumbled under his breath.
"What is a Wurmongur, Ms. Lovegood?"
"Why, it's only the most fantastic creature! They live on the waste of misbrewed potions, they're quite difficult to catch and a rarity to spot but they are particularly tasty to certain creatures and make fantastic lures! Though- I suppose I would never allow them to be eaten if I were to have one for a lure…" She trailed off, dreamy eyes drifted across the hall as she turned and went to make her way away from him.
He cleared his throat, drawing her attention back to his face.
"Oh, yes sir, is there something else? You really should eat more, you know, you're looking quite thin, and drawn, have you considered a massage, or perhaps a vacation? My father and I used to search for unknown creatures in several locations- India is quite nice in the Fall, many beautiful fabrics and…" He managed to cut her off with a hand, staring at the witch long and hard.
"Ms. Lovegood, certainly you need to be going to bed." His tone was tired, his eyes drooping. Exhausting, or maybe she was right, perhaps he did need to eat more. The Lovegood girl always did have a way of speaking the truth, even if it was in an entirely inelegant way.
"Oh, yes sir, of course, I'll just be taking this little guy outside and then I will go to sleep. You should get some sleep as well sir. I would be more than happy to help you, I know some wonderful stories, should you ever need my assistance." She offered with a smile. It surprised him. Her mind worked in mysterious ways though.
He'd known that from the very beginning.
"Yes, well, I will be certain to call upon you should I ever find myself so desperate." He grumbled sarcastically. She didn't say another word, only turned on her heal and walked away, blonde hair flowing behind her and making her visible in the dim hall until she vanished entirely.
And that was why he didn't give Luna Lovegood detention.
She would talk his bloody ear off. No amount of vitriol, no measure of irritability, no insult could sway the girl from her incessant speaking, wild ideas, and 'friendly' suggestions.
He groaned as he made his was the rest of the way to his rooms and collapsed into the chair he'd had his mind set on the entire day.
He summoned a house elf who left him a small meal and tumbler of firewhiskey.
Severus drank the whiskey, but he did not eat the food.
She may have been right, but that certainly didn't help his appetite any.
Gillywater, that girl really was a loon.