The morning had begun as per the norm; a huge feast laid itself out across the five tables in the Great Hall, and Lockhart frequently waved to certain witches across the room.
At eight-thirty, the Mail-Owls arrived.
Several letters headed towards the teacher's table; one distinguishable between the rest. It was a Howler.
Dumbledore looked mildly curious, whilst beside him McGonagall looked affronted that such a letter would encroach the teacher's table. There was no disguising the discomfort felt by most of the staff as it came closer to them, missing the last students at the main tables and heading directly for the teachers on the right.
Lockhart almost looked excited, as though he were certain it would be some screaming their advances at him.
Snape's impassiveness faltered slightly, as he took his hand away from the spoon of his porridge. He reached for his wand, as though to banish the item. Stopping him, Lockhart placed an unwelcome arm around Snape, saying something which prevented Snape from continuing.
Then, the owl stopped, and the letter seemed to jump from its clutches…
…straight into Snape's porridge.
He stared in a stormy silence, whilst Lockhart just looked enthusiastic. Neither made an effort to clear the porridge which had splattered on the table around the bowl.
The Great Hall was silent in anticipation, and then-
"SEVERUS SNAPE."
The voice was unrecognisable.
"YOU LOUSY, OLD GOAT. QUIT HARASSING NEVILLE. HE HASN'T DONE ANYTHING TO DESERVE IT. I IMPLORE YOU TO PROCEED WITH CAUTION, OR EXPECT TO FACE MY WRATH AGAIN. YOU TWITCHY COCK!"
Snape looked like he was about to spontaneously combust. Or at least, he wished he would. If it were possible, he had grown even paler.
No one moved for a moment, and Neville tried to shrink himself into his seat.
Then, a girl at the end of the Ravenclaw table, whom Harry was sure he had not crossed paths with before, rose and began to clap slowly.
Fred Weasley joined her, rising from his place at the Gryffindor table and clapping.
Soon, people from every table had risen and begun clapping in response to the Howler.
Every table, for there were those amongst the Slytherins who bore the brunt of Snape's wrath on more occasions than their fellows, and did not appreciate it.
Neville remained where he was, trying, as though it were possible, to conceal himself any further. Hermione made a mental note to advise Harry to lend Neville the invisibility cloak should he feel the need to hide himself any further, for he was now only identifiable by the tip of his hat above the table.
Of course, she would never let on that it was she who had sent the post that morning. After learning to create a Polyjuice potion, it certainly hadn't taken her long to learn how to change her voice.
