Chapter 5
By the time New Years Eve rolled around, Tabitha was exhausted. She worked double shifts, trying to keep up with all the business. She'd never seen the Three Broomsticks so busy night after night since she started working there. She supposed the fall of the Dark Lord made everyone more apt to celebrate. Things had been terrible for so long and now it was over. Tabitha supposed she didn't blame anyone but she spent most of Christmas Day sleeping, while the pub was closed.
New Years Eve found the pub completely packed to the gills. Tabitha could hardly keep up with the orders, but no one seemed to mind her being a bit behind and it was lucky she was of age and could use magic when she really needed to, though she preferred not to. She found that having a personal touch brought in more tips. But that night, using magic was more than necessary to keep everyone's glass full as she made the rounds. She'd already told Rosmerta that she was going back to Hogwarts the next morning. She didn't think she could take another night of being on her feet and she ached to get back to her studies.
Tabitha ran into Snape at a little after eleven o clock. He was in the company of Professor Dumbledore and Professor Dixon, who seemed to be batting her eyes at Snape, which irritated Tabitha. Of course, she could not comment on it.
"Hullo, Professors," Tabitha said, trying not to sound totally exhausted as she approached them. Luckily they all seemed to have mostly full glasses, which meant Tabitha wouldn't have to serve them just yet. It just seemed rude to not at least greet them. "Happy New Year!"
"Ah, Miss Wexler," Dumbledore said, his eyes twinkling merrily in her direction. "I'd heard tell that you moonlighted here."
"Isn't that interesting!" Dixon said. "I always thought you were an incredibly hard worker. You don't find many students with jobs, do you?"
"It's more out of necessity than anything," Tabitha said. Dixon's face was flushed red and she was swaying a bit. Tabitha had learned the stages of drunkenness a long time ago and Dixon was most definitely at the silly/sentimental stage of her intoxication.
"Of course, you sweet thing. We're all aware of your home situation," Dixon said as she patted Tabitha's shoulder sympathetically. "Oh my! What a beautiful necklace!"
"Er-thanks," Tabitha said as Dixon reached forward and grabbed the sapphire pendant for a closer look. Tabitha chanced a quick glance at Snape. His expression told the story of how he would rather be anywhere but there at that precise moment. He had yet to say a word.
"Wherever did you get it?"
"It was a gift," Tabitha explained quickly.
"A boyfriend?" Dixon gave her a knowing wink.
"Sort of, I guess." Tabitha tried her hardest to not look at Snape, who she'd heard snort slightly, though thankfully it went unnoticed.
"How I wish I had a man to send me beautiful gifts," Dixon said with a pretty little sigh. The woman really was beautiful, Tabitha couldn't help but think. She had beautiful golden flowing hair, doe eyes with long lashes, a rose petal mouth and the clearest complexion Tabitha had ever seen in her life. She was flawless. How Snape resisted her was beyond Tabitha. All the boys at school had a hard on for her.
"Come now, Maddie," Dumbledore said, patting Dixon's arm sympathetically. "Love's grasp will reach you before you realize what's happening…"
"Not soon enough," Dixon replied, swaying a bit. She took a sip from her glass and gave a small hiccup. "I'm not getting any younger. I'm twenty-eight. Practically your age, Albus!"
Dumbledore chuckled merrily, his eyes twinkling. It was obvious that Dumbledore rather enjoyed the woman's company.
"If you'll pardon me," Snape said suddenly. "I need a breath of fresh air."
Without waiting for permission, Snape stalked off toward the exit. Once more, Dixon sighed.
"It's useless," she said, sounding sad. "I've been sending him signals for ages and nothing has worked."
Tabitha suddenly felt very uncomfortable, not really wanting to hear this conversation, but for some reason felt compelled to hear what Dumbledore had to say on the matter.
"I told you it wouldn't be easy," he said. "As much as I'd like to see him happy, it will take time."
"I'm afraid I'm not very patient," Dixon concluded.
"Time will tell, my dear."
Tabitha didn't bother with excusing herself. She'd never been so worn out in her life and desperately needed a break. She asked Rosmerta's permission to take a breather.
"Go on dear, just make sure you're back in by a quarter til," Rosmerta told her. Tabitha thanked her, grabbed her coat and made a beeline toward the door.
It was gently snowing outside, the air was cold and crisp. Tabitha found Snape on the side of the building, leaning against the wall with his hands stuck in his pockets with a moody scowl. He gave a small start when Tabitha approached.
"Just me," she said, offering him a small smile.
"Thought you might be Dixon," he muttered. "Or Albus, come to tell me how cruel I am for dismissing her pathetic advances."
"She does come on a bit strong," Tabitha agreed, trying to remain neutral even though the whole thing annoyed her probably just as much as it annoyed him.
"Precisely," he agreed. "I like her much better when her mouth is shut, which is never."
"You could give her a chance," Tabitha said, shrugging. "You never know. She might be the perfect match for you. Opposites and what not."
Snape snorted derisively.
"And that wouldn't bother you?"
"Well yes," Tabitha answered honestly. "It would, but she's your colleague. I'm your student. She's a way more appropriate match for you than I am."
"Don't be stupid," he said sharply. "It's not her I want. You may be my student but you're ten times more desirable than Dixon could ever hope to be."
"She's pretty."
"Yes, but so are you and it goes beyond the surface. It doesn't with her."
"It could if you gave her a chance."
Snape eyed her strangely, apparently having a hard time figuring out her motive. Tabitha wasn't sure what they were herself. On one hand, she liked the him and wanted him all to herself but on the other, carrying on with him was a bit of a burden. Tabitha hated living in secrecy but it was a bit of a necessity to do so and he didn't seem to mind it one bit.
"You want me to give her a chance?"
"I don't know what I want," said Tabitha. "It's just so painfully obvious that she wants you and she can give you more than I can right now."
"Like what?"
"The chance to be openly in love with someone."
"I don't think I have it within my capacity to love anyone, at least not right now."
Tabitha was growing increasingly more frustrated. It wasn't that she wanted him to love her but if he wasn't willing to, what was the point of them carrying on like they were?
"So what are we doing then?" Tabitha asked, her hands on her hips.
"I told you what this was, I told you I wasn't looking for a wife!"
"I never said I wanted to be! But if all you're after is shagging, I'm not sure I want to be a part of it."
Snape was quiet for a moment, seemingly chewing over what she was saying and carefully choosing his next words.
"It's more than that. It is. But I don't know what it is exactly," he said finally. "I care for you but that's all I can give you."
"And that's fine," Tabitha said. "Just don't dick me around, yeah?"
"That was never my intention."
"Good." Tabitha checked her wristwatch. "Shit. I'd better get back inside and start preparing the champagne."
"When are you coming back to Hogwarts?"
"Sometime tomorrow," Tabitha answered.
"Come and see me when you get back," Snape told her. Tabitha nodded. "Oh and…" He reached forward, caught her by the sleeve and pulled her toward him, kissing her before she realized what was happening. It was a short-lived kiss but it warmed her all the same. "Since we can't at midnight."
It was almost ironic, in a sense. Because a little bit later, after midnight, Tabitha spotted him snogging Professor Dixon.
Review prompt: Forgive me for being a bit lack luster. I killed my brain trying to learn math today and then my kid's school called because he threw up and I had to get him. What is something that you do to relax?