Her black robes billowed behind her as she descended the steps out of Hogwarts. Agnes was still fuming from her confrontation with Flitwick.

"So he ratted me out, eh? Common behavior from a Ravenclaw…"

"Blackwood."

Agnes paused. She looked about her surroundings but saw no one. Shrugging, she continued on.

"Blackwood!"

It was louder this time. The voice had seemed to come from behind a nearby tree Agnes had just passed. The voice hadn't sounded like Hagrid's. It was far too deep. If that was even possible - Hagrid had a deep voice, himself. Coming to a complete halt, Agnes watched the tree with caution. Slowly, a figure clad all in black crept from behind the tree with their arms crossed.

"Severu-? I mean, Professor Snape."

"Indeed," Severus nodded. "I must say, you're altercation with Professor Flitwick was quite… intriguing."

Agnes cringed.

Intriguing? He couldn't come up with a better adjective?

"Yes, well… I'm not very proud of my behavior. I believe that I could have handle myself a bit better."

"I believe you handled yourself rather well."

Was that a compliment? It certainly sounded like one… though his face is just as stoic and unreadable as ever…

"Thank you, then?"

"Not at all. It's quite… amusing when one can manage to… ruffle Flitwick feathers, so to speak. Fluster him, if you will."

"Well you're quite proper, aren't you?" Agnes smiled as a way to test the waters.

"Quite." Severus replied. The corner of his lip twitched almost unnoticeable.

Was that humor? Did Severus Tobias Snape just make a joke?

"Well then… I'm on my way to the lake to try and clear my head from that horrid experience. You… can join me if you'd like?"

Severus tensed his shoulders, and his jaw tightened. The atmosphere changed as though there was a vice gripping their chests. A cold casted over them as Severus crossed his arms over his chest once again. "I think not."

Agnes placed her hands in the pockets of her robes as her shoulders dropped. "Alrighty, then."

He didn't have to get all worked up about it. A polite no would have sufficed.

"I guess I'll be on my way, then." Agnes turned and trudged on to the Black Lake. Halfway down, Agnes looked behind her to see if Severus was still there.

He … was?

Usually he'd be gone by now.

Agnes turned her attention back to her destination and took another few steps. Agnes looked back again in time to see Severus abruptly pivot with the ball of his foot back towards Hogwarts. His robes twirled from behind him and collected around his shins before furrowing out in time with his steps.

Saddened that their conversation had gone sour, Agnes tried to distract herself at the lake. She watched the ripples atop of the lake's surface when fish, or what Agnes had hoped to be fish, momentarily surfaced to collect the floating bugs.

Agnes lost herself in her thoughts. Would she ever have a moment of peace at Hogwarts? A moment where she wouldn't constantly be watched or outcasted by the other staff? Especially the other professors?

Agnes certainly hoped so.

And today, Severus actually complimented her! Even if it was only stating his amusement of the whole fiasco with Flitwick. An actual compliment!

He probably still has an issue with me being here, though. No doubt Dumbledore probably set him up into playing nice.

Agnes sighed as the sun began to set into the horizon. The orange and red streaks intensified on the ripples of the lake. There was no sign that Hagrid would show up today.

Oh well, Agnes thought. He's probably down at some pub in Diagon Alley… or somewhere else. Might as well make my way to grab a bite.

The students had just seated themselves at their House Tables when Agnes arrived at the Great Hall. Dinner had not been served yet.

Right on time…

Agnes took her seat to the available chair by Severus's side. Hagrid wasn't in the Great Hall, either. At least Agnes knew Hagrid didn't leave her waiting intentionally. He might have been off protesting some magical creature's rights. After all, this was Hagrid we're talking about.

Remembering how their conversation had taken a sour turn earlier, Agnes was on edge sitting next to Severus. Hell, she was always on edge around Severus. He didn't trust her and Agnes knew it. But, she also knew, there was nothing that she could do about it.

The room fell into a hush as Dumbledore stood to summon the food from the kitchens. The students dug in as the food appeared.

Agnes decided it best to ignore Snape as she made her plate. The silence had returned to its usual chatter from the students. It was so much easier for one to lose themselves in their thoughts. Scanning the serving platters of food to make her selection, Agnes caught a glimpse of Flitwick looking in her direction. Agnes returned his gaze with direct eye contact. Flitwick furrowed his brow before breaking eye contact and directing his attention elsewhere. Agnes picked out a slice of spiral cut ham to try to ignore the tension between them.

"Don't mind him," Severus whispered reassuringly. Agnes dropped her dinner knife onto her plate. The silverware bounced and clattered on to the table below. Severus had startled her. She hadn't expected him to speak - let alone to her. "He's just upset. Serves the bloody bogart right."

Agnes layed her hand over her chest in an attempt to recover herself. "How do you figure?"

"He's too high and mighty despite his outward appearance. He needs to learn charms are merely charms. There are other forms of magic. Magic he probably would never fully comprehend in all his life. Even Dumbledore doesn't know everything about magic; though, that is rather hard to believe." Severus took a drink from his goblet.

"Well," Agnes sighed. "Nice to see that someone's on my side."

"I tend to be rather… observant. There is one thing, however, that is still not fully understood."

Agnes looked Severus's way with her guard up. She raised her eyebrows in question.

"Tell me, Agnes Blackwood. Why are you really here?"

Agnes sighed. "Of course you would ask that again. My apologies, but I cannot answer you."

Severus said nothing but an almost inaudible sigh. He withdrew from the conversation, but Agnes could see his skepticism. Like with the Flitwick situation, Agnes tried her best to ignore the awkward tension as she finished her meal.

"It's been lovely, honestly," Agnes said as she came to a stand. "But I must be going now."

Agnes didn't wait for any form of response. She quickly made her way out of the Great Hall.