Chapter 3
Of course he had to be outside my classroom, well at least he wasn't outside my private quarters.
"Alastor, what can I do for you?" my cold tone was in place, I carefully put my rage for the man in a cage at the back of my mind.
"An apology would be good, Snape!" I had just opened my classroom door, for once squeaking ominously, I knew I was breaking down; my years of spying now taking its toll on my emotions.
"You want me to apologise to you, Mad-Eye," I whispered dangerously, on silence had now been replaced by another as no student in the potions lab was breathing. So I continued slightly louder than before, "surely you should be sorry for what you said last night,"
"That was all true and you know it; or else you wouldn't have hit me!"
"At least I told you to go to Pomfrey; it's not my fault if you didn't listen," he took a step closer to me, I refused to move; I would not surrender. He glared up at me. "Get out of my face, Moody. You will regret it if you don't," some of the students oow'ed at this.
"You're not worth the air you breath, Snape," finally some neurons in his brain connected as to why he wasn't fired. "You haven't told Dumbledore about our exchange, have you?" he sniggered again, I still wanted to strangle him.
"Why would I deliberately go out of my way to ruin your already ruined reputation, Professor," he knew it wasn't a question. But he did snarl and once more taking a sip from his flask.
"Ouch, sir!" that had to be Potter, it had to be his bloody class this morning.
"Burn! Sorry," I looked at Granger with surprise. Ignoring Moody, I had to shock them all.
"For an inappropriate, appropriate outburst Miss Granger five points to Gryffindor," I smirked as her mouth fell open, along with the rest of my Slytherin's. Turning back to Mad-Eye just as he…
"Snape," he clearly was exasperated. I growled.
"Don't Snape me in that tone Alastor Moody, but get one thing straight," I paused for affect, "I am far more complicated than your simple mind will ever comprehend. Now GET OUT!" I roared, as I pushed him roughly from the room slamming the door in his face – luckily he was close enough to the door to re-brake his nose that I had broken last night. At the scream of pain on the outside of my classroom door, I had to laugh. After about three minutes of silence as I put the instructions and ingredients of today's potion on the board, I sank into my chair; placing my head in my hands on my desk, I swore quietly. But it was not quiet enough, as about half the class whistled. The rest were unsure how to react, until,
"Professor?" Potter had silently approached my desk, "Sir, are you alright?" he was brave; after an outburst like that he should be running from me not coming up to me in an attempt to console me.
"I'll be fine, thank you Potter,"
"If you're sure," he shrugged as he returned to his desk. I could feel someone's eyes on me, I looked up; Miss Granger had her hand in the air – as usual.
"Yes Granger,"
"If you'll excuse the language, sir," she drew a quick breath and quickly continued with "but what the f**k was that about?" I blinked at her, I never knew she had such a common vulgar vocabulary underneath all that knowledge.
"That was a heated argument, Granger," I glanced at Longbottom; again he looked like a Cheshire cat, "Shut up Longbottom,"
"Sorry sir, but that was epic,"
"Epic?" I repeated.
"Longbottom has a point, sir," at that moment the entire class looked at Draco as if he had six heads.
"Who are you, and what have you done with Draco Malfoy?" Potter and Longbottom could see the smile behind my eyes. Granger snorted and then started openly laughing, once the class had finished, it was time for the second challenge; Potter was the last to leave.
"Potter, good luck,"
"Thanks, sir," I stayed sitting as he left, "You're not coming?" he actually sounded sad.
"No Potter, Longbottom will give you the Gillyweed; just swallow it when you to the water's edge,"
"Understood, Professor," he finally left. I continued to stare at the corridor wall for the next hour. Hoping he would be alright.