DESTINATION AND COMPANY

Disclaimer: This is an unauthorised tribute to the works of JK Rowling who, with her publishers and licensees, owns the characters and situations elaborated herein.

Thanks to all my reviewers and to my previewers, Bellegeste and Cecelle.

The reactions from the rest of the Hogwarts staff varied from slightly curious to downright nosy, with a side-serve of pique. If Snape had been Hermione's only guest from Hogwarts, he'd have been able to keep both destination and company to himself, but the addition of three students meant notifying two other Heads of Houses and Filch, the caretaker. Approval for students to be not only exempt from curfew but allowed off-campus anywhere but Hogsmeade, for anything less than a death in the family or a Ministry hearing, was unprecedented.

Snape sank into his favourite chair for the staffroom meeting and closed his eyes.

"Headache?" asked Pomona, handing him a cup of his usual Valerian tea. "Or just an excuse not to answer questions?"

"Three double Slytherin-Gryffindor lessons today. Of course I have a headache." He straightened, eyes still closed, and breathed in the pleasant, soothing steam.

"So one of my Gryffindors invited you to her birthday celebrations?" Minerva probed. "Why you?"

"Why not?" He sipped slowly.

"She didn't invite any other teachers. What made you so deserving?"

"We spoke on the last day of school. I told her what I really thought of her and she replied with what she really thought of me. It was quite instructive." His voice was as smooth as a dark chocolate-coated grenade.

"What do you really think of her? I've never heard you say one good word in seven years."

Snape opened his eyes and raised one eyebrow.

"I was a spy for almost twenty, Minerva. Dissimulation becomes a habit." He lifted his tea to his lips and took a sip.

"That's no answer," Rolanda objected.

He merely smirked in reply.

"What did you tell her you thought of her?" Pomona asked, pouring herself another cup.

"I suppose if I tell you, it will prevent you making something up," he said, when he thought they'd waited long enough. "I said her intelligence and determination had impressed me and I should be pleased to assist her in any future endeavours."

"And she believed you, despite seven years of evidence to the contrary?" Minerva said.

"I have always found Miss Granger to be quite discerning." Filius added, in male solidarity.

Minerva magnificently ignored him.

"And what does she think of you? Or should I ask what she said she thought of you?"

Black eyes held a malicious gleam.

"She said I'd been more important in her life than any other teacher and she'd like to stay in contact."

Minerva jerked upright, slopping some of her tea into the saucer as Pomona jibed, "A girlfriend at last! Even if you are robbing the cradle."

"Dear, dear. Are you so starved for romance that you have to imagine me a vicarious one?" he asked. "If you try to suggest I look like the sort of man a teenager could fall for, I'll have to analyse this tea for any of the one hundred thirty-three common hallucinogenic stimulants."

"I really thought she had more sense," Minerva muttered darkly.

A/N The number 133 was plucked from thin air. I don't know how many hallucinogenic compounds the wizard world would consider common (or even how many the Muggle world would.)