AN: I apologise in advance for any dodgy French. Corrections are certainly welcome! Translations can be found at the bottom.
Prepare for snarky Severus and fiesty Jane (we all know it's Hermione, really, who am I kidding?) ;)
Chapter 2: in which Jane impresses Severus
"Good morning Severus!" called an annoyingly chipper Eloise at him as he shuffled into the kitchen. She was sat at the breakfast table studying The Daily Prophet. Opposite her was a cinnamon-haired man in his fifties who was equally engrossed in his copy of Le Monde and didn't address the glum potions master at all. Severus's own greeting was a diffident grunt as he lifted a steaming coffee mug off the countertop. A prudent sip; he was wary of burning himself but when he noticed the comfortable temperature, a second, larger gulp. "Thanks," he then muttered. "You're welcome," Eloise acknowledged, now glancing over the top of the newspaper. He moved to the table, pulled out a chair and sank down on it slowly. "Morning Severus," greeted the older man. The French accent was much more pronounced in him than it was in Eloise. "Nathan," Severus greeted respectfully, never releasing his ocular grip on the mug. Nathan Marson folded the periodical he'd been reading carefully before depositing it on the metallic surface of his breakfast table. He turned and studied Severus judiciously. Severus sipped the black gold in the tacky marigold mug, quietly allowing the examination. Eloise immersed herself in something on the Prophet's page 5 and no one spoke for a good few minutes. "Still not a morning person?" The baritone tones broke the tense silence in the small kitchen.
"Obviously," Severus conceded begrudgingly and he was rewarded with chuckles from both Marsons. Two more sips of coffee in absolute silence, then the rustle of Eloise putting down the Daily Prophet. "He was charming last night, until he upset Jane that is," she spoke. Severus scowled, Eloise sported a wide genuine smile and Nathan winked at her. "I must be off now, duty calls." The man leaned over the table to press a tender kiss on Eloise's lips. Severus's signature scowl deepened at the display of affection, inches away from him. "Bonne journée, ma petite. Severus," he nodded as he picked up his briefcase. Severus answered his nod with his own. "Nathan," he returned coolly.
When Severus heard the front door close, he glanced at Eloise who was still wearing a blissful smile and staring into space. "Stop that," he objected and she turned towards him, flipping one leg elegantly over the other. "Making you uncomfortable?" she grinned. "Very. My mug's empty." Eloise rose soundlessly and accepted the empty cup. "Breakfast?" she offered. "No thank you. Just more coffee." She padded into the kitchen and turned on the espresso machine. "What is it you like about muggle coffee?" she questioned. He shrugged. "It's different." "Hm." The scepticism in her voice was palpable but she didn't speak it. The machine started its familiar chortles and coffee started spurting from the spout.
She leaned back against the counter and observed him. He stared back at her, his eyes now narrowed to mere slits. "I'm happy, Severus. Stop worrying." He grunted. She slid back to the table and plonked the mug in front of him. "Stop brooding too," she ordered. "I'm not brooding." "You're always brooding. Now stop it. He's good for me. We've been over this a million times."
They had. Severus had worried when Eloise had introduced him to Nathan. He was a squib and therefore had no magic and seemed settled into his dead-end administrative ministry job. It was an existence that would've driven Severus to desperation but Nathan was content with it and seemed to have no drive to ever achieve anything beyond his current career. To top it all off, he was Eloise's senior by 20 years. But despite all Severus's arguments, rational -you're not on the same level in your life experiences, do you even know where you stand on children?- and irrational -what's wrong with his hair? He hasn't got a single grey hair! I have grey hairs! He must be hiding something!-, despite the talk he'd had with Nathan - if you hurt her, I will find you and kill you- , they had married nearly two years ago and he had to admit, things were going well for them. For now Nathan soothed Eloise's rambunctious nature, gave her a steady anchor in her life and she in turn seemed to add adventure to his. He was happy for Eloise because she was happy, but he was sure that one day they would drift apart and break each other's hearts. They so obviously wanted different things out of life, how could it not go wrong eventually?
He snapped out of his reverie when Eloise kneeled down next to his chair and took his hand, as one would when addressing a petulant child. In restrained, soothing tones she spoke her mind. "Severus, I know you worry, and it is your right of course. However, I am of age. I was of age long before you- before we found each other and I can handle myself. I would very much appreciate it if you could perhaps not lay it on quite so thick. Silverin subtlety, and that." "Slytherin," came the indignant rectification. "Right, Slytherin. Now will you stop worrying, brooding and sulking and come into town with me?" He scoffed but rose when she did.
Later they were strolling casually along the banks of the Seine. "Two more days then?" she pondered aloud. He nodded. "Would you like me to try and set up a meeting with monsieur Armitage for you while you're still here? I may have slipped and mentioned your accidental discovery. Oops," Eloise winked. While he had been working on potions to ease heart conditions, he had developed this particular lust potion almost accidentally and although academically it wasn't commendable work, it had great commercial potential. "It got his attention. It's a little short notice but you'd have the upper hand at this point. He's keen to beat the competition. It ought to be more convenient to talk face to face rather than having to negotiate by owl, I should think?" "That's a good point, actually," he admitted. "Don't sound so surprised. I do have the odd bright idea, you know." "Occasionally," he snickered and while he had been expecting it, the punch in his upper arm still made him wince and rub the afflicted area to calm the dull ache of a bruise being formed. Eloise giggled and tucked her hand in the crook of his elbow, then gently steered him up the steps, leaving the river banks. "I need to pop by the office then." "Right."
"Bonjour, Madame Marson. J'étais sous l'impression que vous seriez en vacances?" Jane Williams suggested, swiftly rising from behind her desk and sliding towards them with a small stack of parchment scrolls. She gave Severus a dubious once-over but then walked with the pair of them to Eloise's office, giving her superior an update on the day's affairs. "Deux messages floo de Madame Maxime. La première pour confirmer votre rendez-vous la semaine prochaine. Je l'ai marqué sur votre horaire. The second one was actually for professor Snape. She asked me to convey her disappointment with the declined invitation and extended a renewed one nonetheless. She appeared quite keen to meet with you, sir, at your earliest convenience." Severus cocked an eyebrow. The flawless switching from one language to another was quite impressive, but he suspected some extensive charm work was involved. He could sense the magical energy radiating off her. "Le thèse de monsieur Dujardin est enfin arrivé. Alexandre et Emeline sont en train de l'examiner. Avec votre consentement, je pourrais ajouter la réunion éditoriale à votre calendrier aussi. Je dirais Mardi prochain, le matin, pour qu'ils puissent conclure les recherches préliminaires?" "Très bien. T'as bien les détails de Armitage Industries? Essaye d'arranger un meeting avec Louis Armitage - lui-même, je ne veux pas son adjudant ou pire, son fils- pour demain ou après-demain. Dit-lui que professeur Snape sera là. Did you keep up with that, Severus?" Severus and Jane responded in a clash of "Bien sûr, madame Marson." and "Yes, fine, Eloise."
Eloise opened the door to her office, ushering Severus inside. "Il y a encore autre chose?" she asked when Jane didn't seem to be navigating herself back to her desk. "Did you want me to reply to Madame Maxime, professor?" she addressed the surly potions master. "What on earth for? I never do," he snarked. "Right. Very well." The blonde witch stalked back to her designated area and set to work once again.
"Is it a language charm?" Severus asked when Eloise and he had settled into the armchairs in her office. "No? Can you not remember telling me off for -how did you put it- my appalling French slur. I believe it makes me sound like a harlot. Your words," she answered, puzzled. He ignored her jab entirely and clarified his initial question. "Your assistant. She is very fluent." "Ah. No charm. It's hard to tell with the constant glamour," replied Eloise. "Glamour?" His eyebrow drifted up. "Hm, it's very good, but she was badly injured in your war. She wears it all the time. Not sure how she keeps it up, but I've only seen her without when I insisted at her interview. I need to know who I'm hiring, you see. It wasn't pretty..." she murmured. "You mean you hadn't noticed?" "I-I noticed something, but I may have drawn the wrong conclusion. I assumed it must've been, as I said, a language charm." "Ah, of course. No, she's just very fluent. I told you she was talented." He nodded his assent. "Actually, she came highly recommended." "Please, do elaborate," he coaxed impatiently. "Your professor Dumbledore." "Albus is dead." "Well, obviously. But we still trust his judgement and she had a recommendation letter. He was adamant that she'd be worth my trust. She has yet to disappoint."
By now thoughts were coursing through his head. Albus Dumbledore was dead, had been for quite a while. How does a dead headmaster recommend a personal assistant? Why does a dead headmaster recommend a personal assistant? He had to admit she had piqued his interest. "You did speak ever so highly of her." His snide remark was his Slytherin way of an invitation to do so again. He was now well and truly intrigued. "Hm, let me show you my planner!" The editor in chief shot up and tapped her desk. A charmed image flashed up, then hovered over the oak surface. It seemed to be that week's schedule. "Look!" she exclaimed and reached out to the image. A flick of her finger made the dates change to next week's. "She calls it swiping, this. It's amazing! And-" she was now nothing less than giddy, "I can do this!" She tapped a timeslot and spoke "Tea with Severus" and promptly the slot was filled with that activity and changed to a fluorescent green. "I can access it anywhere as well. It's brilliant. She's currently setting these up for everyone in the office and she wants them to interact, so I can check everyone's schedule. Do you know how easy that makes planning a meeting?" "It's good charm work," he concurred. "But where's the tea?" He grinned slyly and Eloise called out for her assistant.
Almost immediately Jane entered the office. "Could you sort out tea for us, dear?" asked Eloise. The girl nodded and then gave another update. "Monsieur Armitage has a board meeting tomorrow and seems to have trouble clearing his schedule on Thursday as well. However, he can be here at 7 tonight. I know it's not business hours but he insisted I check with you anyway. Would that suit?" Eloise glanced at Severus, a questioning eyebrow quirked up. Ha, he noted inwardly, there is definitely some Snape in there. "That eager, eh?" he then smirked. "Yes, that would suit." Eloise simply nodded her consent and Jane slid out the door again. Seconds later an orange slot was added to the floating planner, then a tea set appeared on the low coffee table between the arm chairs. Severus leaned back and relaxed with a rare self-satisfied chuckle. "How much do you think I ought to ask?" he grinned at Mrs. Marson. "A lot more than what you're thinking," she replied with the same cheeky grin.
Jane popped her head through the door after another quick knock. "Sorry to interrupt, but Christiane needs your final approval on the Heddenburgh interview, Mrs. Marson. It's scheduled tomorrow?" "Oh, of course. Excuse me for a couple of minutes," she addressed Severus. "Can you entertain Severus for a while, Jane? I do hate to abandon a guest." Then she slipped out of the room and Jane stood awkwardly in the centre of the office. He eyed her but didn't speak and the silence grew more awkward with each passing minute. At last a soft sigh escaped Jane's lips and she stated "I did enjoy your lecture, sir." "Thank you," he politely, automatically replied. "Although I was surprised you ignored the genetic markers as indicated by Marshgrave." He frowned deeply. "Miss Williams, Marshgrave is an idiot. His research is mere conjecture and I've yet to see a solid piece of evidence." She nodded. "Of course, sir, I do agree, but it is general practice these days to include the possibility in ones research." "Perhaps, but is it useful?" "I see your point, sir," she complied.
He waved to the still hovering schedule over Eloise's desk. "Might I ask whose charms you used? I would imagine the headmistress would be very pleased with something similar." "Oh, the base for the hovering image is professor Flitwick's. The colour changes are similar to what the Weasleys use in their firework charms." "And the reaction to touch?""Um... Well... I-" she stammered. "Spit it out, girl," he asked impatiently. "My own, sir," she collected herself. His eyes grew a shade darker and narrowed. "You made that?" "Um. Yes. Yes, sir." He rose and strode to her, slowly and deliberately, staring her down. "Don't. Lie. To. Me." He was now towering over her and she blinked but didn't flinch. "I'm- I'm not lying. I- I- I-" He snorted as she stumbled over the words. "You you you?" She took a step back and straightened herself. "I'm not lying. Sir." The addition of the epithet was sharp. "It took me a good while to develop but it is mine." He glared at her. "Please. And you're working as a paper pusher? I. Don't. Believe. You." "And I don't care!" she finally exclaimed. "I don't care if you believe me or not, you arrogant piece of work! You walk in here like you own the place, you think you can just bully everyone! I had hoped that perhaps you would be more at peace with yourself now, that perhaps you would start anew, but you are still a bastard and you still think you can waltz over everyone! Well, I don't care! I don't care what you think. I'm not afraid of you anymore!"
AN:
"Bonne journée, ma petite": Good day, little one.
"Bonjour, Madame Marson. J'étais sous l'impression que vous seriez en vacances?": Good morning, Mrs; Marson. I was under the impression that you would have the day off?
"Deux messages floo de Madame Maxime. La première pour confirmer votre rendez-vous la semaine prochaine. Je l'ai marqué sur votre horaire.": Two floo messages from Madame Maxime. THe first one to confirm your meeting next week. I have marked it on your schedule.
"Le thèse de monsieur Dujardin est enfin arrivé. Alexandre et Emeline sont en train de l'examiner. Avec votre consentement, je pourrais ajouter la réunion éditoriale à votre calendrier aussi. Je dirais Mardi prochain, le matin, pour qu'ils puissent conclure les recherches préliminaires?": Mr. Dujardin's thesis has finally arrived. Alexandre and Emeline are examining it now. With your consent, I could add the editorial meeting to your calendar as well. I would say next Tuesday, in the morning, so as to give them time to finish the preliminary research?
"Très bien. T'as bien les détails de Armitage Industries? Essaye d'arranger un meeting avec Louis Armitage - lui-même, je ne veux pas son adjudant ou pire, son fils- pour demain ou après-demain. Dit-lui que professeur Snape sera là.": Very well. You have the details for Armitage industries? Try to set up a meeting with Louis Armitage - himself, I don't want his deputy or worse, his son- for tomorrow or the day after. Tell him professor Snape will be there.
"Bien sûr, madame Marson.": Of course, Mrs. Marson.