I waited several minute for Severus to finish his scheduling with Ron. During that time I alternated between pacing in his office, and sitting in his chair drumming my fingers on the desk. I was doing the latter when he finally entered the office.
"Out of my chair young lady." The average child about to be punished by their guardian would have guiltily hopped out of the chair and walked around the desk to the opposing armchair. Not me, out of spite for his behavior, I stood on his chair, climbed over the desk atop the armchair, and then sat down. He scowled at me, not moving from the spot. "Try that again Allison." I rolled my eyes.
"Fine." I whined, standing back on the armchair, climbing back across the desk, standing again on Severus' chair, and sitting down. I then rose again and walked around like a "Proper young lady" and sat again in the armchair. To top it off I faked a yawn as if the entire charade had just been a giant bore to me. Marching to his chair, Severus sat down.
"I am not amused young lady."
"Well then that makes two of us, Professor."
"How dare you defy me in front of Mister Weasley, and what was all of that business at the beginning of the class?"
"It was and honest slip of the tongue, like you've never thought something horrible of someone else. As far as the beginning of class, that was a genuine concern for Remus. You were blinded by your newfound hate for him to possibly believe that someone could still care for him." Voice was not raised, nor was it accusing, it was plain and dry.
"You are my first priority; any feelings of my own are secondary. And yet I do not allow my own judgment to affect my behavior as you so often do."
"You're honestly going to try that with me? Sev, you may be able to get away with those sorts of things with Dumbledore, but I know you. Think, think of Harry you treat Harry just because he looks like our dad! Think of how you treated Hermione today, just because you don't like to be shown up! Or how you gave Ron detention because he pointed out a flaw in you! Let's not forget practically exposing Remus' secret out of your own hate? Those are all things you did, and now you're not even going to tell me where or what's happened to Remus. " I ranted exasperated.
"You are so infuriating at times! You share that fault with your mother, if you ever stopped to think for a moment, you would understand. The assignment was my subtle way to ensure you knew Remus was fine. The least unobservant student, who knew what you know, would cross reference the subject with the date. And yes, I dislike being disrespected, and the actions by yourself, Miss Granger, and Mister Weasley showed nothing but disrespect. I stand by my punishments, and honestly two scrolls on werewolves should not be a challenge for you."
"It's not the work it's the principle behind it all! I know I could easily write four scrolls on werewolves, it's the fact that you make up your mind, and nothing can change it, you don't ever listen to what anyone else says."
"It's settled then." He responded as if I was boring him now. He began shuffling around paperwork on his desk.
"What's settled? We didn't settle on anything!" I exclaimed exasperated.
"You'll write four scrolls on werewolves, rather than the two assigned to your classmates." He added looking up from his paperwork.
"That's so not fair!"
"Oh isn't it? You just said you could easily write four scrolls on the subject. Therefore it would be unfair for me to allow you only write two. Every student should be equally challenged. It's either four scrolls or detention. Your choice." He stated offhandedly, returning to the paperwork.
"Detention, for what?"
"For your blatant disrespect during class today." It wasn't worth arguing, he'd already made his mind up, and being angry wasn't going to make anything better. I folded my arms across my chest.
"Four scrolls it is then. When is the essay due?" I was figuring he'd say sometime around a week. I mean, he knows we have other classes too.
"Monday. Weren't you paying attention at all in class today?" He dabbed a quill some red ink and started grading some student's work.
"Monday?! As in four days from now Monday?"
"Correct." He responded. Marking notes in the margins of the student's essay.
"Is there any point in arguing that with you?" I asked.
"None whatsoever."
"Alright then. Sev, where is Remus anyway?" My voice cracking with concern. Severus looked up at me, I could see in his eyes he was heavily calculating the pros and cons of telling me the truth.
"I do not know where he is, but I'm sure he will be returning soon."
"Sev, what's going on between you two? You usually get along so well, but lately I've noticed you've been uncomfortable around each other."
"It's really nothing to be concerned about Allison. Now, if you don't hurry, you're going to be late for your next class."
"Yeah." Grabbing my book bag off the floor I stood to leave the room. "Oh, I almost forgot." I dug around in my book bag for what I was looking for. "I'm supposed to have you sign this, so that I can turn it into my head of house. So I guess after you sign it, you can turn it into yourself." I said handing him the Hogsmeade permission slip. "I mean, unless you want me to have Remus filling it out. This is all starting to get confusing as too who is what, and when." He placed his quill down with a sigh.
"Welcome to my life." He mumbled thinking I couldn't hear him. He extended his hand and took the slip from my own hand. "I'll sign your slip, and I'll be sure to add it to the pile of forms I've already received."
"Thank you, Hey Sev, have I told you lately that I love you?"
"I believe you just did." He answered picking up the quill again.