"Severus," Molly Weasley asked him. "Are you insane?"
Severus lowered his eyebrows at her. He gripped a mug of hot cocoa in his hand. He glanced at Dumbledore, who was sipping at his own mug.
The table in the kitchen of 12 Grimmauld Place was packed. Arthur, Bill, Charlie, Fred and George Weasley flanked one of the great oak benches. Remus Lupin, Mundungus Fletcher, Tonks, Kingsley Shacklebolt, and Mrs. Longbottom sat on the opposite side. Severus was leaning in a doorway, disconnected from the others.
"Yes, Molly," Severus said, exasperated. "I've gone insane. I hoped it would do for a nice change."
Charlie snorted cocoa out his nose and Bill pounded him on the back.
"She's never done field work, and she's not even initiated yet," snapped Molly.
"She's the most suitable person for the task," replied Lupin, reaching out for a tin of biscuits.
"I'm going to have to agree," Arthur looked hesitantly at his wife.
Molly turned her sights on Dumbledore, who set his mug down thoughtfully.
"Molly, it's only an inquiry," said Dumbledore. "They're not skulking around searching for Voldemort. And I must say, Miss Granger is the most suitable person for any research project."
"Madam Snape, you mean," remarked Molly, turning her sights at Severus.
"I am not having this discussion," said Severus looking steadily at her.
"It was arranged because it had to be," said Arthur. "Unless you think Percy should break his engagement off. He very nearly did, you know."
"No, of course not," said Molly. "I just don't think it's right. She's still in school."
"At least he could keep her there." Mrs. Longbottom scowled severely. The stuffed vulture on her hat bobbed in rhythm with her nodding. "Somebody else might have ended her education and pulled her enrollment."
"It just seems like she's just so young," answered Molly shaking her head.
"Think of it this way," Arthur suggested as he put his arms around her. "When you were her age, you were a year away from establishing this family." He grinned at his offspring and winked at Severus as he kissed his wife on the cheek.
"Heaven forbid," declared Molly throwing a threatening look at Severus.
"I don't make it a rule to molest my students," Severus said stiffly.
"She won't be your student for long," remarked Fred, or George. "She's turned into quite the—"
"George!" squeaked Molly, horrified. Mrs. Longbottom stared at him in disgust. Tonks began to laugh uncontrollably as did the other Weasleys. Dumbledore just rolled his eyes and sipped at his cocoa.
"That was rude," said Bill laughing, his palm slapped to his brow.
"It's true," said George, or Fred annoyed. Kingsley shook his head in amazement that he had said what everybody else was not.
Severus waved his wand at the cocoa he spilled on his clothing.
"As much as I loathe to say it," Severus said. "Your brother is correct. That was extremely rude."
"Sorry," responded George, poking Fred, not sounding sorry at all. Fred chuckled. Their mother glared at them.
"How did the meeting go?" Hermione asked as Severus walked through the green flames in his fireplace. She shut the book she had been holding and peered at him. She was wearing blue plaid flannel pajamas and white socks.
"Molly was not enthusiastic over you going to St. Petersburg with me," said Severus, unwinding a long black scarf from around his neck. He produced a package from under his robes.
"I can imagine," replied Hermione, grimacing.
"Although we concluded that you are the most suitable individual for research positions," said Severus. She nodded at him.
"What's that?" Hermione asked, nodding at the brown paper-wrapped bundle, sitting on the coffee table.
"Potion ingredients," said Severus gruffly. "For the Sixth years."
Hermione smirked as her eyes traveled back to her book.