18

"I suggest you take some hangover potion before you go anywhere."

"Stop nagging at me, you are not my wife!" Snape threw a pillow at Gloria who was fluttering above his bed. That was all he needed, being told what to do even before he had left the comfort of his bed. "For your information, I didn't have any alcohol. I'm just tired."

"A wakefulness potion then."

That was worth consideration. He had lessons to attend after all.

"Remind me not to dance the limbo with Dumbledore and the Dark Lord again," Snape groaned. His body ached in places he had forgotten years ago.

"Stop acting the old man," Gloria scolded. "You are not even forty. And there is a potion for your aches, too. Are you a potions master, or what!"

By then Snape had managed to get up and fled to the bathroom.

Some potions and a hot shower did work wonders though and that's why Snape was walking up to the Great Hall a little later with a little spring in his step. He even stopped at some point and – after making sure nobody but Gloria saw it – performed a couple of dance steps before continuing to breakfast.

"Good morning, Severus!" the headmaster greeted him merrily. He was wearing robes with palm trees covered in snow. "What a night, eh? Tom and I are planning to repeat it in January. Are you game?"

Snape stifled a sigh. Of course he was game. How could he not be with both his masters at one on the matter. "With pleasure, Albus," he drawled. If you can't escape, volunteer.

Luckily Gloria decided that after all the limbo music it was time for something Christmassy and she started to sing "Jingle Bells". Many of the students sang along and Snape was spared having to relive the evening step by step with the headmaster.

After a half hour of song and a hearty breakfast, Snape rose to announce who was to open the calendar window.

"Today's window goes to Millicent Bulstrode," he read out. How did the apprentice know the Bulstrode girl, Snape wondered.

Millicent blushed at being chosen but came forward to the Head Table to get her envelope. The young witch usually stayed in the background, which was no surprise when you had to share classes with Draco Malfoy and the Golden Trio.

"Thank you, Sir," she said politely as Snape handed her the envelope.

The pink sparks whirled around the girl and then manifested into a golden flute and a roll of parchment. Millicent opened the parchment, "It says I'm to join forces with Potter," she told the hall at large.

"I take it you know how to play the flute?" Dumbledore asked kindly.

The young Slytherin nodded. Of course she knew how to play the flute. Playing the flute was her passion and if her father would allow it, she would become a flutist; but unfortunately the head of Bulstrode house had different plans for his daughter.

"So maybe you are supposed to make the music for our play!" Potter cried. "I was wondering where to get some decent musicians."

"Miss Bulstrode, why don't you play a little something for us," Snape asked his snake. He was, of course, informed about the witch's secret passion. Her father had written to him more than once to make sure his daughter didn't neglect her studies in favour of making music.

Millicent beamed. "With pleasure!"

The golden flute made the sweetest of sounds and Millicent really knew how to play. The music was enchanting, there was no other word for it.

"Wonderful!" cried Potter. "This year, we'll have the best heavenly music ever! Millicent, since you are so good at this, would you mind taking over all musical matters for the play?"

Millicent blushed but nodded, yes, she'd love to be the musical director of the play.

After breakfast, she and Potter left the Great Hall together, discussing when and how to organise auditions for those who wanted to add to the music at the play. Snape noted that the Weasley girl was glaring daggers at Millicent's back.

"Draco," he said as he caught up to the blond on his way back to the dungeons, "It seems that Miss Weasley is jealous of Miss Bulstrode. Please, watch Millicent's back. We don't want anything to spoil her moment of glory."

The Malfoy heir snickered but promised to do as Snape asked. "As we are speaking," he added, "I think Pansy and I are ready for the next figure skating lesson."

Snape sighed. He had not planned on spending part of his meagre free time with Malfoy. "I'm rather busy today but I may be able to get a half hour after lunch in." After lunch was better than after dinner because Malfoy needed to go to his afternoon lessons and therefore the time for the lesson was limited.

"Thank you, Sir," the blond hinted a bow. At least he had manners.

In the evening, Snape wished he had planned Malfoy's lesson for after dinner. As it was, the headmaster made him chaperone the music auditions. "You have no other plans, Severus, and you are already Potter's assistant. You are ideal for the job!" Dumbledore pointed out.

By the time Snape was able to return to his quarters, he had a throbbing headache. Why did so many students bring instruments to school when they had no idea how to play them and no music lessons were offered at the school?

Luckily he was, indeed, a potions master and always had some vials of headache remedy at hand. Once the problem was taken care of, Snape ordered coffee and chocolate cake from the house elves. Gloria loved chocolate cake and she couldn't sing with her mouth full.

With a happy sigh, Snape stretched his legs and sat in the armchair closest to the fireplace. He summoned a book – a mystery story about a medieval monk – and enjoyed what was left of the evening.