A/N:
Mornin'! Well, actually it's evening, but hey. So this is chapter three, and I haven't really got much to say! Probably will at the end though. Enjoy.
SS/LP
After two hours of attempting to teach a bunch of immature sixth years how to make a simple Draught of Living Death, Severus Snape was most pleased to hear the shrill tones of the bell signifying the end of his torture.
"Label your samples and bring them to the front. Then get out."
The class scrambled to do as he said, and they eventually left. Severus sat back down at his desk and rubbed his temples with his fingers. It had been a particularly trying day so far, and as he looked over to his timetable, he realised it was about to become more so. His next class was to be the Gryffindor and Slytherin third years, which meant Potter, Weasley, Granger, Longbottom and no end of irritants from his own house, although he obviously did little to reprimand his own students. Longbottom; his own personal demon sent to aggravate him. Neville Longbottom had proved to be a complete liability in nearly all aspects of his life, but for Severus Snape, he was a danger magnet. If Potter thought the constant threat of Voldemort was bad, he should try living as Longbottom for the day.
Severus could hear the light mumbling of the students outside his room and swept gracefully across the dungeon to let them in. As he surveyed the students, he could not see Hermione Granger, and was puzzled.
"Enter."
As he returned to sit at his desk and looked around the room with his usual sneer in place, he noticed that Hermione was seated at her desk, already more organised than anyone else. Shaking his head he stood to address the class.
"Today you will be attempting to make an acceptable cure for boils. If you turn to page ten…"
Returning to his quarters to refresh before dinner, Severus considered the events of the day. His lessons had gone on like normal, and he had not acted any differently, yet he felt as if something strange had happened. The disappearance and appearance of Hermione Granger weighed on his mind, but he put it down to stress. As he walked again towards the Great Hall, he saw McGonagall and Hermione whispering quickly; Granger had what looked like a necklace in her hand. She hid it inside her robes as a student walked past, and turned again to McGonagall, who nodded and began to walk into the Great Hall. Snape walked past Hermione, and muttered to her as he did so.
"You're blocking the doorway Miss Granger."
She let out a small chuckle and made her way towards the Gryffindor table, settling down and pulling out a book. Snape took his place at the Head table, and again Lupin was seated next to him. They conversed pleasantly, and McGonagall said nothing. She scowled at the sherbet lemon Dumbledore had placed in the centre of her plate.
As he made his way back to his chambers, Snape prepared himself mentally for the night of silences which was awaiting him in his slumber.
A/N: Sooo! What did you think? I think this chapter was sort of unnecessary, but helps set the scene for the ensuing time torments. Reviews please?
