A Gift For A Hag
Chapter 11: Presentation Is Everything
Professor Snape entered his office in the dungeons. He had a lingering smell of flowers in his nostrils that would not quite wear off. The dungeons were starting to smell "pleasant" as the flowers he carried left a scent that wafted in the air as he walked.
He had gathered (hexed) a bushel of Vector's favorite flowers, bluebells.
Professor Snape had once overheard her telling Professor Sprout how much she liked them. Not that he would have ever taken the trouble to ask, nor did he care, he might add.
To each their own, Professor Snape mused. He believed muggles said that it was the thought that counts. However, the Headmaster did not seem to think that justified his gift of blood lollipops to Professor Vector last year.
Pansy Parkinson walked into Professor Snape's office and was ready to start serving detention.
"Good Evening, Sir."
Snape rose from his desk and addressed her. Pansy's eyes shifted for a second to the unruly bunch of bluebells on Professor Snape's desk. He ignored her look and continued.
"In my stores you will retrieve a ball of twine. Use the "engorgio" charm to enlarge it and make it wider. Lastly, transfigure the twine into…ribbon."
"Yes, Sir, we learn that in first year." Pansy replied.
"Also, Miss Parkinson, "Snape spoke in a low voice, "The ribbon's color needs to be transfigured into the color…pink."
"Er, what Sir? I didn't quite catch the last part," Pansy asked, leaning a little more towards Professor Snape.
"Pink! Parkinson, pink, and do make haste before I recant my offer to speak with Professor Sprout about Saturday's detention."
At exactly 7:00 Pansy had completed her detention. Professor Snape had one more request before she left.
"Take the flowers and this tag to Professor Vector. Tell her it is from Professor Snape for the staff gift bag," Snape stated firmly. "You are not to leave for Hogsmeade until they have been delivered. The staff will be meeting shortly. Reporting back to the dungeons will not be necessary."
Pansy took the bouquet into her arms and said, "Thank you, Sir," and left hurriedly.
Professor Snape picked up his wand and performed the "evanesce" charm to clear his desk of the remnants of petals, leaves, and stems.
However, the blasted, flowery scent still permeated the dungeons. Once some potions were brewed, he would finally be rid of the bloody stench!
He chose Parkinson because he believed she would know what was to be done. He had noticed Malfoy presenting her with items on certain occasions. Also, as a student in his House, Slytherin, she was well aware of the consequences of telling any other students about the staff gift bag.
Pansy had arranged both the flowers and the ribbons. He had written out the blasted tag.
One more hour and he was free from any gift bags until December, his mouth twisted into an evil smirk.
He would show up to the gift exchange but now there was no possibility that anyone would actually see him gift Vector with the flowers. His student was seeing to that.
After today, he was a little tired of hearing about how Gilderoy Lockhart treated his valentines. Not that Professor Vector was his valentine, of course.
Professor Snape would never either figuratively or literally speaking, "take a page from his book."