Dark Tower
All characters contained in the story, belong to JK Rowling and company.
Chapter thirty-six: The announcement: Albus style!
Severus accompanied Jessica to the third floor corridor, where an awaiting elf showed them to her room. It said before leaving, "Your sister's room is the next door. If you need anything Miss Jessica, professor Dumbledore has instructed Minky to serve you as well as I could. I'll be proud to be your elf during your stay at Hogwarts." It bowed till its nose hit the floor.
"Um... Thank you Minky! I won't hesitate to call you if need be." The elf smiled shyly then bowed another time before leaving.
They entered the room; Jessica just went "wow!" in a low voice. The room was immaculate and was furnished with a fine leather and mahogany suite in the sitting room. She went to the bedroom and gasped. A large canopy bed sat in the middle. Again, deep and rich mahogany dominated all around. The canopy, bed coverings and drapes, were in varying hues of greens and blues. She was impressed and wondered who had slept here before her.
She went back to Severus, who was busy checking the room for any hidden Dark Arts devices or spells. She couldn't see why it would be necessary, but then she wasn't an experienced spy like Severus.
He finished his inspection and grinned with relief. "The room is clear anything that might perturb your stay." He then looked at the woolen cloak and the nightshirt she had on. "I think you'll be needing some clothes. You can't go around in a nightshirt in the corridors." He smiled at her. "Unless you're planning on staying in your room for the duration of your visit?"
She looked at herself and blushed. She had stood in front of the Headmaster in her pajamas. How embarrassing! "No, I think I'll want to walk around the school sometimes." She grinned back.
He came to her, putting his arms around her. "I'll make arrangements to get you and your sister some decent clothing for tonight." He kissed her gently then stepped back. "I'll go see Albus about that and other issues. See you later..." He kissed her again and left quietly, his robes gently billowing behind him.
Jessica watched him leave and then decided to explore the room a little more closely. No personal items could be found, but everything breathed quality. She was interrupted by a knock at the door. She went to answer and found Becca standing there with a large smile.
"Hiya, sis!" She beamed, giving Jessica a big hug. She came in and just like Jessica, a silent "wow" came to her lips. "Nice room Jess! Mine looks positively dowdy next to this one." She went to sit on one of the big leather chairs.
"Comfy?" Jessica asked with a smile.
"Very... come have a try." She settled herself more comfortably in the chair. "I could get used to this luxury." She laughed warmly.
Jessica sat down, and agreed with her sister. These chairs were heavenly. "Don't get too used to them, this is a temporary arrangement."
"I know." Becca nodded at her, her thoughts turning to the events that had unfolded at her home. "So what's next? What do we do now? Since we can't go back to the house and have no clothes, not to mention that all my artist materials are over there, so I can't work." She rattled off with irritation. "Damn Death Eaters!" She groaned aloud.
"I know Becca. But Severus will make some arrangements for us. He promised we'd have clothes for tonight. So..." She wanted to tell her sister about the wedding plans but she'd wait before telling her. It was rather all in the air right now.
Both sisters had lunch in Jessica's room. Minky told them that professor Dumbledore had asked the elf to provide it for them. After eating a little too well, Jessica took a nap while Becca returned to her own room. She was sleeping well when a knock came at the door came. She woke with a start, not recognizing her environment when she first opened her eyes.
After a few moments, another knock was heard. She finally got up and answered. Minky bowed to her before saying: "Professor Snape has asked that you prepare yourself for dinner, Miss. He said to be ready for 5:30 sharp." The elf bowed again and left. Jessica watched the elf go away with a furrowed brow. Get ready, how? She had no clothes. Unless...
She went back to the bedroom and started to open the doors and drawers of the armoire. Sure enough! It was filled with female garments of all types. Most of it she didn't recognize though. Running an appreciative finger on one of the silken robes hanging there, she knew that these were all newly purchased. She looked at the size tag and saw that it was the right size for her.
She wondered who had gone to such bother and expense to get her new clothes. She selected a few undergarments and one of the heavier robes to put on. Looking at her reflection in a mirror afterward, its deep mauve color complimented her skin tone marvelously. She put one of the lighter cloaks she found, knowing it would still be coldish in the corridors of the old castle. She passed through the bathroom to find a comb or hairbrush to tame her long hair. She found a complete set of hair accessories, as well as everything she could need to wash and care for herself.
At 5:30, she was ready when a small knock at the door was heard. Severus stood there with an even face, bowing his head to her as she opened the door. His gaze flitted appreciatively over her before he offered his arm and led her to the Great Hall for dinner.
Becca was already seated at the table, laughing next to Remus; both were chuckling about some joke he was telling her.
Becca turned to Jessica. "Hey there, sis! Hope you slept well?" Then she noticed what her sister was wearing, "Wow, I knew that robe would fit you well." She winked at Snape. "Nice choice there, professor." Jessica was a little overwhelmed by that tidbit of information. Severus had chosen the robe for her? She blushed after wondering if he had chosen her undergarments as well.
She took a seat next to him. He glanced at her after she sat and was wondering what she was blushing about now. He crooked a brow at her and as he opened his mouth to ask, Albus stood up to make an announcement. A silent hush fell over the entire Hall.
Albus had gotten up from his seat, hands outstretched to bring silence in the room. He smiled to all in attendance. "I have a few announcements before we tuck into tonight's meal. First, we will be adding a new extra-curricular activity to our roster. With the help of professor Rebecca Brown here..." He turned to her and smiled, "She will be giving classes to those interested in the visual arts. She will be showing you the different techniques for drawing, painting with both oils and watercolors, as well as the basics of sculpting in wood and clay. Anyone interested, can sign up by leaving their names on the scrolls made available in the common rooms of each house."
A brief round of applauses rose up in different corners of the hall. Dumbledore lifted his hand again, waiting for everyone to settle back down. "And now for the most joyous of announcements. It is with great happiness that I announce to you today, that our Potions professor is to be wed very soon." The room gasped in unison, the slytherins gawked at their Head of House in disbelief.
"You all know the lucky young woman, who will join her future to his. Let us all wish the happy couple the very best... Professor Snape and his lovely fiancée Jessica Brown!" Albus finished in a booming voice.
A short pause followed Albus's words, and then a thunderous round of applauses could be heard. People were in shock; the students chatted feverishly while clapping their hands. Albus motioned to Severus and Jessica to stand up. He looked grim but got up and gave his hand to Jessica to help her stand up. Her face reflected her thoughts. She was shocked and angry that this news had been announced without her consent. She looked at Severus, but he too looked murderously at Albus. So the old man had decided to force their hands into this.
They sat back down and everyone got to their meals. Jessica had lost her appetite, feeling a little nauseated by now. She excused herself and left the Hall. She barely put her foot on the first step up the stairs, when Becca joined her.
"Why didn't you tell me Jess? You could at least tell your own sister about your impending nuptials, no?" Her laughter was a little strained, but she hugged her sister anyway.
Jessica was white by now. "Becca... I would of told you, if I had known myself! Come on, I'll explain it to you in the privacy of my room. " Rebecca looked dumbfounded but followed her sister up the stairs.
As they continued their way to the third floor corridor, they failed to notice that a certain blond slytherin boy was following them.
They entered Jessica's room and went to sit on the largest sofa. Jessica explained what had happened between her, the Headmaster and Severus. "I didn't accept this plan, I just listened at the proposal. I can't understand why he decided to announce it like that to the whole school. " She shook her head in disbelief.
Becca had listened to her sister and was still gaping at her. "But Jess, Snape didn't even propose to you! How can Dumbledore be so sure that he will? Or that you would accept?", she stared at Jessica's profile. "Something isn't right here. You'll have to speak to them. Looks as if they decided everything for you already!" Becca looked at her sister with defiance in her eyes. "If you don't, then I will!" She stood up and went to the door.
"Becca... No! I'll go see them after supper. I promise." She had gotten up and grabbed her sister's wrist. "Let me deal with this. I know how to handle Severus; the Headmaster will have to defend his own actions." She felt angry and hurt by being cornered like that.
"Ok, Jess. But tell me if you need any assistance. I've learned a few new hexes from a wizard I dated last summer, I'm dying to try them out on someone.", she grinned impishly.
"I don't think that will be necessary, but thanks." She turned around and went to a small cupboard and pulled out a tin of ginger snaps. "Cookie?", she offered her sister.
"Pass... I'll go back for a small bite at the Great Hall.", she opened the door. "I'll be back later..."
As her sister left, it dawned on her all of a sudden. Her sister was to teach arts to the students; when was this discussed and decided on? She rubbed away a small itch she had on her tummy as she thought. It must have happened when she was having her nap; that will teach her to nap in the middle of the day. She half-smiled and took a bite from the ginger snap she held.