"The Phoenix and the Raven"
a post-final battle fanfic by Seventia Snape
Chapter Eight, "Tangled Webs We Weave"
When Severus arrived at the headmistress' office, he found her awake, sitting at her desk, looking up at Albus Dumbledore's portrait. For a moment, Severus felt that he was intruding on a private moment, knowing how much Minerva missed her oldest and dearest friend, but then he realized that she was actually deep in conversation with the portrait.
Their low, urgent tones made the atmosphere around him seem even more tense, and he began to feel annoyed with himself for getting all worked up. Yes, the situation was beyond aggravating, and the girl was certainly making a great fool of herself, which could bring embarrassment on him, but it really wasn't the end of the world, or anything he couldn't handle. With that thought in mind, he cleared his throat, catching Minerva's attention finally. He saw the relief wash over her features, and realized instantly that they were discussing Siobheann.
"Ah, Severus, there you are," Dumbledore's voice said quietly and seriously, "I just finished talking with Siobheann a moment ago, and it would seem that our situation has become more complicated. She has finally confessed her love for Neville out loud, and she feels certain that there is something there for her. We cannot allow this to happen, Severus. Siobheann is a fine teacher, and her skill is comparable to your own, but most importantly she is still young, and this heartbreak could affect her badly. You must do something about it, because all Minerva and I can really do is talk to her, and talking will not solve anything in this case."
Severus scowled, knowing that what they said was true. He was truly the only one who could deal with this situation. He was often with Siobheann, just for the simple fact that they shared quarters, worked together, and sat together at the teacher's table in the Great Hall. He suspected that he knew her better than anyone else did, due to his keen observation skills and the fact that he was usually quiet and let her do all the talking, unless there was an argument to be had. He sighed, knowing that he was about to sell away a lot of his dignity and freedom for a while in agreeing to fix the situation, but he knew he couldn't leave his quarters-mate drooling over that dunderhead. He knew what he had to do. He nodded to the two elderly people and left the office, heading towards the astronomy tower. He needed to plan.
The moment that Severus vanished from sight, Minerva turned back to Albus' portrait with an almost gleeful look on her face.
"I haven't seen him this worked up since he awoke. He cares much more than he lets on, and I'll wager that it has almost nothing to do with his desire for peace and quiet."
Albus' eyes began twinkling, and his teeth showed in a wide grin.
"Minerva, my dear, I believe you are completely right."
Severus returned to their quarters just as Siobheann was stirring her morning tea. She eyed him warily, but he ignored her, striding into his bedchamber. He remained there until she left, and then he rushed into the Potions lab adjoining, intent to make preparations for his great plan.
He skipped lunch in the great hall, as was his habit, and emerged finally at around 4, when Siobheann would still be teaching classes. He carried the tray of potions and salves into his bedchamber and scourgified the potions lab. Then keeping a few small vials in his hands, he strode to the bathroom with a green towel slung over his arm. As he stepped into the steaming shower for the second time that day (being a much cleaner man than his reputation gave) he reflected that it felt better to have an plan in action. It quieted the irritation he'd been feeling lately.
As Severus strode into the great hall at dinner time, all the heads in the room whipped towards him, eyes stared and jaws dropped. This was not the typical bat of the dungeons that had been seen on and off at dinner for as long as he'd been at Hogwarts. This was a distinguished and dashing looking wizard.
Severus' long black hair was tied back in a leather tie, and it shone softly. His skin appeared to be a bit smoother and less sallow looking. He was dressed in his usual black robes, but these robes had an extremely subtle green and silver pattern embroidered in them. Minerva suddenly realized what Severus' plan must be, and she found herself surprised and amused. This would be fun to watch unfold.
Severus seated himself beside Siobheann, as was normal, but he wished her a good evening, caressing her with his deep velvety tones. He was deeply dissapointed when Siobheann looked up at him warily and then looked back towards Neville, her eyes suddenly taking on that gooey look that Severus despised so much. Minerva had to hide her smile in her napkin when she watched Severus' expression turn from smooth confidence to utter consternation.
Severus tried at several points during the evening to draw her into conversation, but she was not cooperating, and finally, he felt so aggravated that he found himself purposely saying the one thing that seemed to get her going every time they discussed potionsmaking.
"You know, my dear," he spoke, finding it all too easy to slip in the strange term of endearment and congratulating himself on his success at acting out the character he'd decided Siobheann would respond to, "I was working on a few potions today, and I found that Valerian really is much easier to work with when it's dried, and I found the results to be comparable to using fresh Valerian."
That did it. Siobheann's red eyes suddenly lit on fire and she turned on him, cheeks ever so slightly flushed and eyebrows raising higher and higher. They had argued about this a million times.
"No, no, no! Dried isn't half as effective as fresh is! How could you make such a stupid mistake? You better not have sent any of those potions to the hospital wing!!!"
"Of course not, you ridiculous girl! Why would I waste my time and effort making potions for a bunch of clutzy students who can't even stay on a broom or walk down a flight of stairs without mortal peril?"
"Augh! As if you could be so selfish! And you're a fine one to speak when I've never heard of you ever even sitting on a broom! What's the matter, Snape? Scared that your royal ass will get a splinter from a lowly broom?"
The argument continued on all through dinner, much to Minerva's continued amusement, and then Siobheann stood to leave, and Severus, still determined to work his new character in, pulled out the chair for her with a flourish that unfortunately appeared more mocking than gentlemanly, and then he offered her his arm. He put her nose in the air and floated away from him haughtily, and he stalked after her, and the senior staff at the table, who'd known Severus for years, couldn't help but chuckle at the sight of the stern potions master, nostrils flaring, pursuing Siobheann, still arguing heatedly and enjoying it. And Albus, watching from another one of the paintings in the corridors, twinkled with mirth at the sight of Severus and Siobheann debating as they strolled along, two sets of robes billowing behind them and two voices ringing through the castle.
Finally, when they reached the door to their quarters, Siobheann darted in and warded the door so that Severus could not get in, feeling rebellious in a moment of pique. Richard sat outside the door and fixed Severus with an amused expression.
Nice robes, human. I nearly didn't recognize you without your usual veneer of spilled potions and scornful disdain.
"Silence, beast. You know full well that I never spill potions, and this was for her benefit, so I would be appreciative if I were you, and keep your comments to yourself, in case I should one day find myself requiring a cat pelt for some potion or other."
Touchy, touchy, aren't we, Sevvie? Oh well, I suppose I should be going…I have a feeling that Siobheann's wards will not block me out, and she'll be needing something to hold on to after you've riled her up. Too bad she won't let you anywhere near her…
And with that, the cat disappeared through his special door and Severus was left standing outside of their quarters, feeling foolish and suddenly feeling all of his agitation and irritation flooding back into his mind. He scowled as his lack of sleep also hit him, making him feel even more angry with the world. He turned on his heel and stalked back down the corridor. He needed to shout at someone.
After frightening a few first year students out of their wits, he found himself still agitated, and he was even more annoyed with himself for this unexplainable loss of his ability to ignore things. Why did that girl's situation annoy him so much? Then, as he rounded a corner, he found the perfect person to shout at.
Neville Longbottom had just returned from having tea with Luna Lovegood, and was feeling quite peaceful, until he saw Severus Snape glaring him straight in the eyes from about six feet away. He nearly jumped out of his skin, and then spent a good five minutes trying to rally up his courage and Severus approached. What came out of the feared potions master's mouth shocked him beyond all belief.
"Mr. Longbottom, you need to just let your god damned relationship be known and get it over with already! You are causing a great deal of trouble for some of us around here and you are being unbelievably stupid to think that you've been discreet enough about it! Why, it's so obvious to anyone with two eyes, and you are even more a dunderhead than usual to believe that you can keep it a secret forever! What are you afraid of, boy? Worried that your Gran will send you a Howler? Well, answer me!"
Neville stared at the professor, startled, astonished, and frightened beyond all reason at this confrontation. His brain whirled with everything he'd ever said or done with Luna when others were watching, and he was perplexed at the thought that anyone had noticed anything. He and Luna had wanted to keep it a secret between the two of them until they could afford enough to get married. His face paled as he watched Snape open his mouth to speak again.
"Merlin's boots, boy, you are honestly one of the biggest fools I have ever seen! Siobheann is sitting in her quarters right now, probably daydreaming about you finally getting up the courage to talk to her, or re-living that hug you gave her, not even suspecting in the least that you're already attached, and when she finds out, it will break her heart. And the worst thing is, it's a total waste of a fine high spirited woman like Siobheann, who could ensnare any wizard she wanted if she tried! And you're afraid of her! Yes! I've seen the fear in your eyes when she so much as turns her head to look at you! You couldn't even handle such a woman, and she's wasting all of her spare time dreaming about you!"
With that, Severus, feeling even more agitated instead of relieved as he'd expected, whirled around and stomped away, furious with himself for saying so much and letting on how much he knew. He was losing his touch rapidly. Within two months he and Longbottom would be meeting for tea and discussing cricket if this continued!
Watching Snape walk away, Neville stood still and thought things through for a moment before heading to the greenhouses. Being around them always helped calm his nerves, and he needed that right now to confront all the thoughts in his mind.
Siobheann was in love with him? How could it be, he'd never really given her any encouragement, just treated her the same as he would treat any other war survivor and staff member. But there was the hug…oh Merlin, why did he have to go and do that? He had to deal with this problem, and fast. He couldn't bear the thought of his and Luna's wonderful secret hurting anyone, so he went to his quarters and grabbed his wallet before leaving the castle through one of the secret entrances that Harry had shown him.
He sought out the small but elegant jewelry shop in Hogsmeade and selected a simple but elegant sapphire solitaire from the selection of engagement rings available. He paid for his purchase and began his journey back to the castle, deciding that since Halloween would be coming up soon, it wouldn't be too bad to wait for then to make everything official with Luna. He hoped that she would say yes, and with that thought he headed to his quarters, panicking at the thought that she might say no.
