A/N: Everything but Mallory is J.K.'s yada yada yada… WARNING: this chapter has someone going off on McGonagall. If you feel some personal connection with this character, don't read.* glares pointedly at Iphi*
Chapter 5: Falling Snow
The grey November turned to a white December. Mallory was sitting on a windowsill on one of the upper floors. She had the window opened and the chilly breeze tickled her face. Her breath came out in small clouds and steamed the pane that she rested her head against. Snow began to fall. A flake drifted in and landed on her nose. She brushed the cold droplet of her face.
She loved the winter. The crisp bitter air and the soft desolate fields of white made her think of crystalline purity. She knew it was strange, but what her life was not? What was most strange was her relationship with Severus (yes, they were on a first-name basis now). Though she was initially put off by his sneering, cynical attitude, after a while she had gotten to like and partially understand him. The most disturbing aspect was that she was actually physically attracted to him! Never having even considered anyone in that way before, she wasn't entirely comfortable with the sudden allure. Allure? Do I actually find him alluring? Yes, she did.
Suddenly she became aware of a figure approaching. She recognized the footfalls, she didn't have to look away from the snowflakes. "You are up late, Severus."
"Despite the fact that it has been forbidden, some students have been taking it upon themselves to sneak off ho Hogsmeade at night."
"And you have taken it upon yourself to eliminate such crimes," she said flatly,
"He came up behind her, looking out the window as she was. His closeness was comforting and disturbing at the same time. Although in her mind she could imagine leaning back and resting her head on his chest, she couldn't bring herself to actually physically do it. God, he made her so confused!
"They do not understand or appreciate the rules are made for their protection and blatantly defying them puts them at risk," he was saying.
She tilted her head back to look up at him. "Christmas is coming, Severus. The children want to be able to go out and start shopping for their friends and family."
He shook his head. "It's just not safe. I know it's not fair and its actually sad, but damn them, it's for their own good."
She frowned thoughtfully. "Well, then send chaperones. Adults that can protect them if any trouble should arise."
He shrugged and seemed to at least consider the idea. The two of them watched the now fall in silence, After a few minutes, Severus broke it. "Mallory?"
"Hmm?"
"Do you…"
He never got to finish the question. A sharp clearing of the throat from across the hall interrupted him. They turned and saw McGonagall standing there, arms folded across her chest. Mallory thought she looked like she just caught two students making out in an empty classroom.
"It's two in the morning. Shouldn't the two of you be in bed?"
Severus smiled. He thought the implied assumption on her expression was very funny. Not to mention the reply that formed in his head to her last inquiry. He didn't say it though, he thought it might upset Mallory. Instead he said, "Insomniacs like ourselves need to stick together. Misery loves company after all. Besides, you're out roaming rather late yourself."
"I was having a very important meeting with Dumbledore about school matters. It got a little long-winded. It is something far more important than star gazing!"
"How can we star gaze when it's snowing? Honestly, Minerva, how did you ever become a teacher?"
Feeling the flames of battle starting, Mallory decided to intervene. "She's right, Severus," she said closing the window, "We should be getting to our beds." She stood and stretched. At times like this, when she was looking so innocent and lovely, what with her back arching at it did as she stretched, he wondered how he ever suspected her of anything sordid. Then he just has to remind himself about her mysterious disappearances over the past few months. So Severus tried to keep his wits about him, difficult as it was. He gave McGonagall a last wicked smile as he passed. She watched him go, looking sour.
"I don't like it."
Severus stopped before entering the staff lounge. It was the next day and he could hear McGonagall's shrill voice coming from behind the door. He had no doubt what she was upset about, so he decided to listen in before making an entrance.
"He shouldn't be around her, he's a bad influence."
"Since when have we known Mallory to be easily influenced?" Dumbledore's soft, reasonable voiced asked.
At that moment, Mallory came around the corner. Snape held up a hand to keep her from talking and motioned her to eavesdrop at the door with him. She frowned, but leaned her head against the wood. Dumbledore's voice came again. "Don't you see this is a vast improvement from her school days? Even from a year ago? She kindled a friendship, I'm quite proud and happy for her and him."
"I just think there are better people to choose as friends."
In her eyes, Severus could tell that Mallory, just as he had, realized who and what they were talking about. She frowned and looked worried, but Snape got an awfully evil smile on his lips. He whispered to her, "Wouldn't it be brilliant if the two of us walked in there together, right now?" She disapprovingly shook her head, pushed herself away from the door, and began to walk away. "Oh, come on. Could you just imagine the look on Minerva's face? That'll shut her up right quick."
Mallory spun around and glared harshly at him. "Do you realize that you sound like one of those Weasley twins concocting some immature prank? Really, Severus, I'm not going to embarrass her like that." She stormed off, her boots making rapid clicking noise on the stone floor.
He turned back to the staff lounge. Even if she wasn't with him, he could still wander in at this inopportune moment. As he pushed open the door, the conversation came to a dad halt. McGonagall looked very miffed. Snape pretended be surprised to find them there. "I'm sorry. Please don't allow me to interrupt you. I just came to collect a book I left here yesterday," Which was true. He picked it up from a small end table. Turning to the other two professors, he dropped his façade of pleasantness. "And next time you have something to say to me, Minerva, feel free to say it to my face."
"Severus…" Dumbledore, who had been sitting in one of the armchairs, said in a warning voice. McGonagall, however, took his bait.
"Alright," she said, storming up to him, "I think you need to stop hanging around—"
"Mallory! It's a rarity to see you here."
Snape and McGonagall turned to face the door. Snape began to smile, thinking that she had changed her mind about participating in his "Let's Piss-Off Minerva" game, but the look that she gave him said otherwise. She sifted her eyes to the Headmaster.
"Sir, I'm glad to have found you here." What a cute liar, Snape thought. "There is something that I wanted to ask you. Something that you," she looked at Snape, "and I discussed last night, about Hogsmeade."
Dumbledore turned and looked at Snape. Snape cleared his throat. "Yes, well, Mallory thought, with Christmas coming up and all, to let the students go to Hogsmeade. She said of course that a couple of professors should go along and chaperone and to act on any signs of problems. I would like to add that I am completely against it."
Dumbledore beamed at Mallory. "Brilliant idea!" He got up to leave. "The children will be ecstatic. I suppose that Saturday will suffice for this little event. Oh, and Mallory, Severus," he stopped before going out the door, "thank you for volunteering." He closed the door behind him.
Severus and Mallory looked at each other a bit dumbstruck. When exactly did either of them raise their hand? "Well," he sneered, "It was your brilliant idea, I didn't want any part of it." He left. Leaving the two women by themselves. One was angry, the other looked hurt.
McGonagall stopped glaring at and looked at Mallory. "sit down, dear, there is something I've been wanting to talk to you about." She motioned for the younger teacher to sit as she took a seat herself.
Warily, Mallory sat. She didn't want to hear this maybe this would help get some things out. "I know what you're going to say, and I'm telling you now that you are wasting your breath."
"Mallory, it's just that I don't want to see you get involved in an unhealthy relationship."
"And what exactly so you think our relationship is?" Her voice was beginning to rise.
"I'm not implying anything. I know you consider him a friend, but is he really?" Mallory didn't answer. "Friends are people you can trust and confide in. Have you even confided in him? Do you feel he completely trusts you?" Mallory slowly shook her head, her eyes down cast. "There is far too much there, for the both of you, that has been kept hidden. Both of you have been unfeeling for years. There is a very good chance that you could get hurt…and him. Especially if you still have you're, ah, problem…"
"What of my problem? What does that have to do with anything?" Her voice went dangerously quiet. "Aren't you happy though? Knowing that my relationship with Severus may never go beyond what it already is?" She stood and screamed at her former teacher, "Are you happy knowing that everyday I agonize over it!? That I have finally found someone I want to touch, to touch me?" She was crying now. "That just once to maybe hold my hand or touch my face? And what's worse, it's not because I have some disease, or I fear the disease of others, it's all in my mind, Minerva. If I'm not already mad, I may become so soon."
McGonagall stood and grabbed her shoulders. "Just listen to me…"
"Don't touch me!" Her scream was close to shrill. Her face was red and tear streaked. She pointed an accusing finger at McGonagall. "Stop acting like some sort of concerned mother! Thinking that you know what is best for me, always patronizing, always thinking you know how to help…IT'S PEOPE LIKE YOU WHO MADE ME THIS WAY!"
With that, she ran out of the room and didn't stop till she couldn't keep herself going. She let herself collapse to her knees on some dark, abandoned corridor.
She curled herself into a ball on the cold floor and wept some more. Her face was red and sticky from the tears. Her breathing was heavy and her throat and chest burned. What the hell is wrong with me? She hadn't cried in almost sixteen years. She barley allowed herself to feel anything in that same time span. I shouldn't have come back. I shouldn't be here! This is too much!
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Saturday arrived. Students filled the horseless coaches and chattered excitedly. Everyone was discussing what they were planning on buying and what they were expecting for Christmas. One carriage, though, was quiet. The one carrying the students' two chaperones. Severus and Mallory sat across from each other. Mallory gazed out the window, watching the snowy fields past. Severus watched her.
She was pale as ever. She was also looking tired now, too. He suspected something had happened after he left the staff lounge last Wednesday. Since McGonagall and Mallory didn't seem to be on speaking terms, he figured that there must have been a confrontation. The silence was unbearable he didn't like the recession back into her quiet, self-involved world. Plus, he really missed the sound of her voice.
"I've noticed that you and Minerva are no longer on speaking terms." He waited for some sort of response. Not getting one, he continued, "I hope is has something to do with me."
"Partially," she said, never taking her eyes from the window.
He leaned forward. "I just want you to know that anything she said about me…"
"Was probably true," she finished for him. She looked at him and rewarded him with a small smile on those pink lips.
Contented, he leaned back in his seat and decided to admire his view while she admired hers out the window. She was wearing a brown, knitted stocking cap that looked very cute pulled over her blonde braid. He almost felt silly for even thinking that something, all be it someone, was cute! After a few more minutes of silent travel, he noticed Mallory's blue eyes went slightly wide and that smile played at her lips. Curious to what could cause the reaction in her, he looked out as well. Ahead of them, Hogsmeade was in view. The town was decked out in Holiday decor. Lanterns emitting different colored flames of red and green lined the main drag. Store windows displayed and advertised their Christmas specials. Snape wasn't at all impressed by it, but Mallory looked close to giddiness. Her cheeks developed a very faint shade of pink and her smile actually made her lips part. Such a strange creature.
The carriages came to a stop. Mallory practically leapt out the door. Snape was more civilized when stepping out onto the road. He motioned for the students to gather. "All right," he called for all to hear, "you're free to go about as you please, but be back here by seven o'clock, no later. If not, we'll leave you. And trust me, that isn't as pleasant as it sounds."
The students lingered for a second, not sure if they were dismissed until Mallory enthusiastically said, "Get going, you lot!" She turned and looked up at her colleague. "Well, this is where I take my leave of you. Happy hunting!" She made her way to the shops that children were dashing in and out from.
Sighing, he pulled his cloak tighter around him as it began to snow. What was he suppose to do with himself? He supposed he ought to do what the lady suggested. After all, it was not as if he didn't have people to but gifts for.
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She roamed the store, aisle by aisle. This had to be about the tenth store that she entered. God, he is such a difficult man to shop for! She already bought gifts for the only two other people on her list. She bought Dumbledore a candy assortment from Honeyduke's, and for Minerva (yes, even her. Mallory figured she wouldn't be upset with her when Christmas came) she got something practical. Minerva McGonagall thrived on practicality. Mallory bought her bobby pins and hair-ties to help keep that bun of hers in place. She figured her old professor must go through those like a fiend.
Then there was Severus. He seemed to be the type to appreciate practical, but she wanted to get him something special. That's when she found it. It was perfect! She snatched it off the shelf not even bothering to look at the price. It didn't matter. She just couldn't believe that she found something like it in a Wizard's shop!
Wroth her bags in tow, she exited the shop Just in time to see Severus come out of one himself. He was putting a small box into his cloak pocket. She got his attention and waved him over. Together they walked toward the designated meeting place for the students.
"You didn't get much," he commented, spying her bags.
She shrugged, "I don't have any family left and there are few whom I call 'friend'."
He nodded in understanding. Then the snow started to come down more heavy, and the wind noticeably picked up. Snape checked his watch in the lantern lights. "It's a good thing we're leaving soon. This could get nasty."
"Aye, I reckon you're right."
At seven o'clock precisely, the coaches arrived, each student accounted for, and everyone headed back to the castle. While the wind jostled the coach, Mallory let out a great yawn.
"Tired?"
"Oh," she said, sitting back and closing her eyes, "I just can't wait to climb under the covers of my warm bed and snuggle with a mug of hot chocolate."
Snape envied that mug of hot chocolate.
NEXT WEEK: CHRISTMAS!!!!!!!! YAAAAAAAAAAY!
Now for the divine list of reviewers:
Aeiouo, Hippy Gypsy, Rosmerta, Rushumble, Sphinx, Iphigenia (Will you get off of the whole Hermione thing?) Marvin, Thumper, Melissa Ivory, Thea, *~*Ginny Potter*~*, *Lilith Morgana* (Yeah, that pic of the sexy British babe is pretty great!) Madam Rose Wine, Bluemeanies, Kate the Great, VV, Whitebears, Unicorn Lady, Firebrand.
If you like this story: go check out the stories by Iphigenia and *Lilith Morgana*!
You can thank me later for the promo you two.
