Author's Notes: Yes, once more I'm spitting out two chapters in one night!
Expect a few revisions to take place after I post this, as I tend to notice
things even my beta(s) miss when I read the posting. Nothing serious-
usually just spelling and grammar spots. Thanks for sticking with me so
far, and please review!!
Dedications: Jacqueline- you rock, sister. :) Thanks again for inspiration and advice on Snapeyness.
Barry- You're so British, it hurts! :D Oh, yeah, and sweet, cute, and all that other sappy crap. ;)
Brad- Thanks so much for helping on the last chapter, and I look forward to working with you on our idea! *thumbs up* And... *grins* ...now you owe me.
Disclaimer: Snape is mine in spirit, but none of the Harrypotterverse characters you recognize really belong to me. But Christmas is coming! :D
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Dinner was intolerable that night, as the unspoken tension between Sloane and Snape gave the teacher's table an angry aura. McGonagall noticed first and made a side comment to Dumbledore, who observed quietly. When Leda wasn't glaring daggers at Snape, he was shooting venom at her in every glance. Leda could barely eat the delicious food put in front of them, emotions vivid red as she thought back over his impudence earlier in the day. How dare this traitor burst into my classroom? Disrupt my lessons? And then have the gall to call me to his office to reprimand me for how I handle my classroom? Fey, she thought, casting another dismissive, superior glance in his direction.
This seems to be taking quite a turn, he thought, catching her snide glance and meeting it with a derisive snort. Why in the world should she be angry at me? I happened by on the way to fetch something from the library, and merely meant to applaud her talent in handling those unruly wretches. Stoic as he was, he couldn't help but smirk at this. Right, Severus. He shot her another glance, curious at first, but quickly altering to disdainful. Let's see where this leads, he thought, standing and ushering from the Great Hall.
Leda rose immeditately after, turning to follow. A grab at her sleeve caused her to stop and yank firmly, growling, "What IS it?"
Fuming, she turned around to face Professor McGonagall, who watched her with an arched brow and a look of concern. She spoke quietly, so that the other teachers wouldn't notice anything amiss. "Please, Leda," she implored. "Let him be alone with his own miserable company when he's like this. Trust me- I understand your concern, but I've taught with him for years and like to think I know him well. The only things our association has taught me is that he's consistently rude, has the worst sort of temper tantrums of anyone above the age of five, and will never cease to be completely intolerable when he's in one of those fits."
Leda's expression softened and she nodded, removing her arm from the teacher's grasp and replying with a sober, placid voice. "I'll let him be, but he's ruined my appetite for tonight. Please, may I retire to my room? I'd like to review tommorow's lesson and try and calm down a bit."
McGonagall nodded gingerly. "Don't let him get to you so badly, and do try and get some rest. You seem a bit high-strung."
Leda smiled graciously, nodding her head to the older woman as well as the other teachers. She swept down the steps, past the Hufflepuff table- giving Mallory Morgan a sympathetic pat on the shoulder- and exited the hall.
Retire to my room early, nothing, she thought, long black cloaks fluttering behind her quick steps. She barely caught notice of the Bloody Baron take a stance to block her passage, stepping swiftly through the wraith and into the Slytherin passageways. He yelled a dramatic curse, waving his rapier behind her for emphasis, but she paid him no heed. The path to the Potions room seemed as familiar as if she herself had been a student here instead of Durmstrange. She had studied the essential layout of the school to the point that she could easily find her way to any of the important areas- blindfolded, if need be. It was part of her basic preparation for this entire undertaking and a simple defense maneuver should anything go awry.
She stopped at the heavy oak door and grabbed the knocker without hesitation, smashing it firmly against the brass backing. She didn't stop at a few polite knocks though, and continued the deafening rapping until the door was violently flung open. Snape stood glowering down at her, his sneer harshly twisting up his already severe features.
"What in Merlin's name is wrong with you, Sloane, that you would beat down my door like a dim-witted forest troll?" He growled down at her, dark hair casting menacing shadows across his face. Unintimidated by mere posturing, she shoved easily past the thin professor, storming past him into his empty classroom. The fires of earlier classes had been extinguished, all supplies put away. Books were open along his desk, she noted, but everything else was immaculate. Stop, Leda reminded herself. Don't get distracted!
He opened his mouth to say something, but she cut him off, her malachite eyes narrowed to mere slits. "No, you stop, and you listen to me." He arched a brow at this affront, moving back towards his desk as she spoke. "You have no right to barge into my classroom, disrupt my lesson, and taunt me in front of my own students! Who in Hades do you think you are, you ignorant git? You've said ten words to me the entire time I've been here, and you've spat all of them. I've done nothing wrong to you or any of your students- in fact, I feel that I have been more than accepting of their less endearing qualities." Her own lips curved into a sharp, hateful sneer, long sleeves folding along with her arms. She wondered for an instant how similar she looked to him- hair dangling in her face in the same manner, arms crossed, eyes narrowed, and lips curved.
He paused for a moment, eyes lighting with mocking humor. For a moment she thought he would laugh and pressed her lips tightly together. She gave me that look once before, Snape recalled, watching her irate expression with reminiscent humor. No, Severus- this is hardly the time to start that again. You must not get distracted.
"Sloane," he spoke, each word viscous with imperious disdain. "I merely wanted to return your lesson plan for next week." He scowled darkly, pushing her paper across the desk. "You knocked it to the floor in your hurry to leave the hall, and I felt it irresponsible in that a student may discover your... plans, for the coming days." Leda's jaw fell open slightly, staring blankly at him for a long moment before accepting the paper. He cocked his head a bit, limpid eyes glittering with amusement. "As for my previous attitude, I'm afraid that's none of your business. You're dismisse-"
Leda cut him off, clutching the papers tightly in her hand. "Dismissed? I'm dismissed? There you go again, you impudent git! Who are you but a fellow teacher? What on earth lets you dismiss me as though I were one of your students?" She paused just briefly, jaw clenching a bit before continuing. "And it is entirely my business why you've behaved so boorishly to me. Tell me, Severus," she queried, and he tensed visibly at the sound of his name. "Is it because I'm from Durmstrang? Is it because I wasn't 'good enough' to be accepted to Hogwarts? Tell me now, because I won't hesitate to go to Dumbledore if this continues."
Infuriatingly calm, he sat back in the chair at his desk and steepled his fingers, watching her hand ball up around the paper. "Dumbledore knows why you disgust me so. You're nothing but a simpering brat. You're fresh out of school and still a simple, mewling pup. He gave you the job I've been requesting for years, now, knowing how appropriately accomplished I am for the position. And you ponce in here, an underage tart se-..."
She wheeled around and stormed towards the door. "I don't have to listen to this," she murmured, still clenching the paper tightly. She spoke a bit louder, pausing in the doorway without looking back in. "Never interrupt my classroom again. If you have a problem with me, or something I've done, find me at one of the meals."
The echoing slam of the heavy oak door signaled the end of their conversation.
Leda felt a thrill of pride as she retired to her chambers- I did it. I stood up to a traitorous shit and didn't let a thing slip, she smiled, her mind easily bypassing the mistake she made in initially entering. Sleep came quickly that night, easy and dreamless.
Severus rested his head in his hands, eyes lingering on the door as though expecting her to return. I did it. I got her to snap, yelling and glowering at me like the impudent upstart she truly is. No smile presented itself, though, and sleep came slowly, filled with dreams of the past and the love he lost so long ago.
Dedications: Jacqueline- you rock, sister. :) Thanks again for inspiration and advice on Snapeyness.
Barry- You're so British, it hurts! :D Oh, yeah, and sweet, cute, and all that other sappy crap. ;)
Brad- Thanks so much for helping on the last chapter, and I look forward to working with you on our idea! *thumbs up* And... *grins* ...now you owe me.
Disclaimer: Snape is mine in spirit, but none of the Harrypotterverse characters you recognize really belong to me. But Christmas is coming! :D
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Dinner was intolerable that night, as the unspoken tension between Sloane and Snape gave the teacher's table an angry aura. McGonagall noticed first and made a side comment to Dumbledore, who observed quietly. When Leda wasn't glaring daggers at Snape, he was shooting venom at her in every glance. Leda could barely eat the delicious food put in front of them, emotions vivid red as she thought back over his impudence earlier in the day. How dare this traitor burst into my classroom? Disrupt my lessons? And then have the gall to call me to his office to reprimand me for how I handle my classroom? Fey, she thought, casting another dismissive, superior glance in his direction.
This seems to be taking quite a turn, he thought, catching her snide glance and meeting it with a derisive snort. Why in the world should she be angry at me? I happened by on the way to fetch something from the library, and merely meant to applaud her talent in handling those unruly wretches. Stoic as he was, he couldn't help but smirk at this. Right, Severus. He shot her another glance, curious at first, but quickly altering to disdainful. Let's see where this leads, he thought, standing and ushering from the Great Hall.
Leda rose immeditately after, turning to follow. A grab at her sleeve caused her to stop and yank firmly, growling, "What IS it?"
Fuming, she turned around to face Professor McGonagall, who watched her with an arched brow and a look of concern. She spoke quietly, so that the other teachers wouldn't notice anything amiss. "Please, Leda," she implored. "Let him be alone with his own miserable company when he's like this. Trust me- I understand your concern, but I've taught with him for years and like to think I know him well. The only things our association has taught me is that he's consistently rude, has the worst sort of temper tantrums of anyone above the age of five, and will never cease to be completely intolerable when he's in one of those fits."
Leda's expression softened and she nodded, removing her arm from the teacher's grasp and replying with a sober, placid voice. "I'll let him be, but he's ruined my appetite for tonight. Please, may I retire to my room? I'd like to review tommorow's lesson and try and calm down a bit."
McGonagall nodded gingerly. "Don't let him get to you so badly, and do try and get some rest. You seem a bit high-strung."
Leda smiled graciously, nodding her head to the older woman as well as the other teachers. She swept down the steps, past the Hufflepuff table- giving Mallory Morgan a sympathetic pat on the shoulder- and exited the hall.
Retire to my room early, nothing, she thought, long black cloaks fluttering behind her quick steps. She barely caught notice of the Bloody Baron take a stance to block her passage, stepping swiftly through the wraith and into the Slytherin passageways. He yelled a dramatic curse, waving his rapier behind her for emphasis, but she paid him no heed. The path to the Potions room seemed as familiar as if she herself had been a student here instead of Durmstrange. She had studied the essential layout of the school to the point that she could easily find her way to any of the important areas- blindfolded, if need be. It was part of her basic preparation for this entire undertaking and a simple defense maneuver should anything go awry.
She stopped at the heavy oak door and grabbed the knocker without hesitation, smashing it firmly against the brass backing. She didn't stop at a few polite knocks though, and continued the deafening rapping until the door was violently flung open. Snape stood glowering down at her, his sneer harshly twisting up his already severe features.
"What in Merlin's name is wrong with you, Sloane, that you would beat down my door like a dim-witted forest troll?" He growled down at her, dark hair casting menacing shadows across his face. Unintimidated by mere posturing, she shoved easily past the thin professor, storming past him into his empty classroom. The fires of earlier classes had been extinguished, all supplies put away. Books were open along his desk, she noted, but everything else was immaculate. Stop, Leda reminded herself. Don't get distracted!
He opened his mouth to say something, but she cut him off, her malachite eyes narrowed to mere slits. "No, you stop, and you listen to me." He arched a brow at this affront, moving back towards his desk as she spoke. "You have no right to barge into my classroom, disrupt my lesson, and taunt me in front of my own students! Who in Hades do you think you are, you ignorant git? You've said ten words to me the entire time I've been here, and you've spat all of them. I've done nothing wrong to you or any of your students- in fact, I feel that I have been more than accepting of their less endearing qualities." Her own lips curved into a sharp, hateful sneer, long sleeves folding along with her arms. She wondered for an instant how similar she looked to him- hair dangling in her face in the same manner, arms crossed, eyes narrowed, and lips curved.
He paused for a moment, eyes lighting with mocking humor. For a moment she thought he would laugh and pressed her lips tightly together. She gave me that look once before, Snape recalled, watching her irate expression with reminiscent humor. No, Severus- this is hardly the time to start that again. You must not get distracted.
"Sloane," he spoke, each word viscous with imperious disdain. "I merely wanted to return your lesson plan for next week." He scowled darkly, pushing her paper across the desk. "You knocked it to the floor in your hurry to leave the hall, and I felt it irresponsible in that a student may discover your... plans, for the coming days." Leda's jaw fell open slightly, staring blankly at him for a long moment before accepting the paper. He cocked his head a bit, limpid eyes glittering with amusement. "As for my previous attitude, I'm afraid that's none of your business. You're dismisse-"
Leda cut him off, clutching the papers tightly in her hand. "Dismissed? I'm dismissed? There you go again, you impudent git! Who are you but a fellow teacher? What on earth lets you dismiss me as though I were one of your students?" She paused just briefly, jaw clenching a bit before continuing. "And it is entirely my business why you've behaved so boorishly to me. Tell me, Severus," she queried, and he tensed visibly at the sound of his name. "Is it because I'm from Durmstrang? Is it because I wasn't 'good enough' to be accepted to Hogwarts? Tell me now, because I won't hesitate to go to Dumbledore if this continues."
Infuriatingly calm, he sat back in the chair at his desk and steepled his fingers, watching her hand ball up around the paper. "Dumbledore knows why you disgust me so. You're nothing but a simpering brat. You're fresh out of school and still a simple, mewling pup. He gave you the job I've been requesting for years, now, knowing how appropriately accomplished I am for the position. And you ponce in here, an underage tart se-..."
She wheeled around and stormed towards the door. "I don't have to listen to this," she murmured, still clenching the paper tightly. She spoke a bit louder, pausing in the doorway without looking back in. "Never interrupt my classroom again. If you have a problem with me, or something I've done, find me at one of the meals."
The echoing slam of the heavy oak door signaled the end of their conversation.
Leda felt a thrill of pride as she retired to her chambers- I did it. I stood up to a traitorous shit and didn't let a thing slip, she smiled, her mind easily bypassing the mistake she made in initially entering. Sleep came quickly that night, easy and dreamless.
Severus rested his head in his hands, eyes lingering on the door as though expecting her to return. I did it. I got her to snap, yelling and glowering at me like the impudent upstart she truly is. No smile presented itself, though, and sleep came slowly, filled with dreams of the past and the love he lost so long ago.
