A/n: As I've read back a lot of the fics from my series, I've realised that I don't actually like many of them. I've forgotten why I even wrote this one. But I'm hoping that they'll start to pick up soon, because, whilst I don't like the fics, I like what they're about. I love all fics that are about McGonagall and Snape getting together, but sadly, there aren't that manyL . Which is why I'm still writing! Now onto the fic:
Part Six
As she swept into the Great Hall, Professor McGonagall surveyed the chattering students eating their breakfasts with a cheerful smile on her face. It was 7:00 a.m. Monday morning and the Hogwarts students were gearing up to start the day.
As she took her place at the teacher's table at the top end of the hall, she noticed that her cheerful mood wasn't matched by the head of Slytherin house and her current 'lover' (she wasn't entirely sure if such a word was applicable or apropriate) Serverus Snape.
"What's up?" she asked, reaching for a plate.
"Nothing," he growled.
"Uh-huh, it sure looks like it," she teased.
"There's nothing wrong that I can't see to, and I don't need you interfering right now!" he snapped. She pulled back from him, offended.
"Sorry I spoke!" she glared, her previous good mood already forgotten. He sighed.
"Look, I'm in a bad mood right now okay? Incase you haven't noticed, I have a tendency of taking my moods out on people, so I'd stay away from me if I were you!" he attempted to apologise.
"What happened? You were fine yesterday evening when we got back, so it must be something drastic."
"Nothing awful," he sighed. "It's Potter again; almost as soon as I got into my room, I'm hearing reports from Malfoy that while we were away he walked in on Potter and Granger indulging in a make-out session on the floor of an empty classroom. Damn little so and so, thinks he's above the rules, just like his father-"
"James never hurt anyone!" she interrupted sharply. "And I seriously doubt there's any truth in that rumour what-so-ever. Besides, shouldn't you be happy? I'm guessing fifty points from Gryffindor and a weeks worth of detentions for Harry and Hermione, which equals human misery all round and I thought you thrived on that?"
"You really don't have a high opinion of me do you?" he marvelled. "I resent being told I thrive on human misery, I'm not a total monster you know!"
"Really?" she snapped, still angry at his previous comments about interfering.
"Yes really!" he snapped back. "What do you want me to do, let them off scot free so that they think that kind of behaviour is acceptable?"
"No of course not!" she fumed. "Just don't be too harsh on them unless you know whether Malfoy's accusation is true or not!" Unaware to either of them, at some point in the conversation Dumbledore had slipped into the seat on Minerva's other side and heard nearly every word of their conversation.
"Oh dear. It seems that this weekend was of no use what so ever," he said, sadly. "The pupils will be disappointed so when I tell them that Quidditch is cancelled this year." He looked forlorn as he sat, stroking his beard slowly.
"What?" Minerva cried. "But we weren't fighting! That was just a……..urmmmmmmm, difference of opinion!"
"Yeah!" he took over. "This weekend did help-really. We managed to urmmm, resolve some of our differences and learn to co-operate?" he laughed silently. The closest they had come to co-operation was deciding where to eat, and that had caused a fair few problems! He realised he was letting his mind slip and snapped back to reality quickly. Dumbledore looked bemused.
"Your 'difference of opinion' looked a lot like a fight to me. How do I know you're not just having me on?"
"Well, you just heard us arguing about a correct punishment for Potter and Granger right?" Snape began. Dumbledore nodded. "So will it demonstrate to you our new found skills of co-operation if we find a middle ground for their punishment?" Dumbledore paused for a long moment. Then he smiled broadly.
"I think that would do nicely! Go ahead. Co-operate." They looked at each other blankly.
"Well, urmm, you were wanting to take 50 points from Gryffindor and give them both a weeks detentions right?" she checked. He nodded.
"Yes, your assumption was correct."
"Well, how about you take the points and lay off the detentions?"
"I don't think the loss of points is enough of a deterrent on its own. Why don't I give them the detentions and lay off the points?"
"I think maybe the detentions are a bit harsh for something we don't even know is true." She paused. A look came over her face that suggested she had an idea. "Why don't you give them a detention each and let me deal with them myself from there on? They are in my house after all. And don't worry," she assured, seeing the look on his face. "They will be punished, but only as I see fit." He looked as if he wanted to argue, but took a deep breath and nodded his agreement.
"Splendid!" cried Dumbledore. "Absolutely fantastic!" he stood, and banged a spoon against his glass. The hall fell silent and all eyes turned towards him. "I would like to take this opportunity to formerly announce the start of Quidditch season!" he boomed. He received a few puzzled looks, but the chatter quickly flared up again. As he sat, Minerva was sure she heard George Weasley say 'Do you think someone should tell him we started practising two weeks ago?'
Thursday was Professor McGonagall's first opportunity to speak to Harry and Hermione. Having apprehended them after class, she peered at them through her spectacles.
"I wish to speak to you both about a very serious matter. I don't have time now. Be in my office eight Sunday evening, sharpish,"
"Is it about the same thing Snape's given us detention for?" Hermione questioned morosely.
"Professor Snape to you. And yes it is. If the allegations are true, then quite frankly I'm appauled." And with that, she stormed out, leaving them both glaring at her back.