1 Complementary Colours
1.1 Chapter the Third – Snape and Scarlet Satin
Valerian's POV
Well, here's my room. Or at least, that's what the plaque on the door says. I push the door open gingerly, half expecting something huge and slimy to leap at me from inside…..but nothing does. Phew. Not that I really thought it would, of course……Wow. As rooms go, this one isn't bad.
It's quite spacious, with a high ceiling and stone walls, just like the lounge at the end of the corridor. I think there's several rooms that are mine…this first one seems to be a sort of sitting room, there's a couch and a fireplace, with a coffee table. And that door at the back of the room must lead to the bedroom….I open the door more confidently than last time, and yes it is the bedroom. Smaller than the first room, but with another fireplace and high arched windows. And the bed! It's gorgeous, a huge four- poster with purple curtains, and my trunk is over by the wardrobe. I'll unpack in a minute, I just want to see where this last door leads…..Oh, it's a bathroom. And a nice one, as bathrooms go. There's all the usual facilities, the bath is enormous. Looks like you could fit about 3 people in there…..ahem. I'm assuming I won't be, though. And there's a shower in the corner as well. Very stylish.
Heading back to my bedroom, I've decided to start unpacking things. Going through my trunk, I pull out my dress-robes and gowns first, and hang them up. The space inside the wardrobe seems to be infinite, I've hung up 12 outfits already and there's still bags of room! My corsets and stockings and things can go in that chest of drawers over there. Right. All done. My books, jars, bottles and all my nick-nacks and trinkets I'll sort out later. I'm pretty keen to get back to the rest of the professors and start getting to know people.
As I enter the staff lounge for the second time this morning, only a few teachers turn to look at me. They have all settled back into their seats, and seem absorbed in their own conversations. I guess the novelty of a new professor has worn off already. Where can I sit? There's a seat on that couch next to Madam Pomphrey….or I could sit on my own in the window seat – that's not much good for making new friends. Oh wait, that silver haired witch is beckoning me over – what was her name again? Oh Goddess how embarrassing! I take a seat next to her, in a high-backed black velvet armchair. Classy upholstery they have here.
"Hi Ella, you found your room OK then?" she asks me. She almost looks nervous talking to me. How odd, I'm the one who should be nervous, I'm new here! She has that infectious smile again, and her golden eyes are so bright and twinkling. I think I'm going to like her.
"Yes thank you……Professor….? I'm so sorry, too many names to handle at once!" I smile at her, hoping she doesn't think I'm an absolute moron.
"No worries. It's Hooch. Madam Xiomara Hooch. But since people generally make such a fuss about pronouncing my first name, you can just call me Mara." She seems a little more relaxed. That witch with all the bangles is sitting with us as well, and she's eyeing Mara very suspiciously. Seems a little….'unstable'….if you ask me. Bit of a nut case.
"OK, Mara. I have to admit, I'm a bit nervous, what with it being my first day and all. I'm sure I'm going to get lost or wander into some broom- closet somewhere!" I confess. Something seems to glitter in her eye. Is she laughing at me?
"Don't worry about it, you'll be surprised how quickly you learn the way around. Of course, it doesn't help that there's rooms appearing from nowhere from time to time, but as long as you try to avoid doors with green goo seeping out from under them you should be fine" she grins, those amazing eyes flashing again. "I'll tell you what, since you're new, how about you sit by me at the feast this evening? Then I can run you through the basics and point out troublemakers." I hadn't realised I wanted her to ask me, but as soon as she did I felt a sense of elation and relief.
"I'd love that. So we don't have set places at the staff table?" I ask her….
"….no. Just take one and that'll be your seat until you get fired" an icy voice chips into our conversation, and I turn around to see the greasy- haired potions master leaning on the back of my chair. Mara is giving him a very dirty look, so I'm assuming those two aren't friends. He smirks evilly, leaning down so that his face is almost right next to mine. I can smell herbs and cauldron smoke in his hair. "I'll sit on your other side, Professor. Keep you in line. Make sure Hooch isn't feeding you a pack of lies…." He growls. Something about his demeanour makes me very nervous.
"Errr…..thank you Professor Snape, but I'm sure Mara will help me out" I stammer. Why doesn't he move back? Does the man not know the meaning of "personal space"?
"Exactly, Severus. I'll look after her just fine. She needs a friend, not a semi-dead slimeball drooling over her" Drooling over me? Did I miss something? Is that why he's standing so close to me? I'm beginning to feel like a rag-doll being pulled in two directions at once. That's it, I'm leaving. I hope Mara won't take it personally, but I just have to get out of this situation.
"I'm sorry professors, but if you'll excuse me I have a trunk full of books and jars to sort out….." I make a swift exit, wanting to look back over my shoulder to make sure Mara isn't hurt, but I know that it's not a good idea. I'll just have to see her at the feast tonight.
*~*
Only another hour left until I'm expected in the Great hall. The first carriage-load of students is just rolling up the drive, I can hear the wheels. And I still haven't decided what to wear. It's the first night of term, so I want to make an impression. I think a gown rather than robes. Finally, I pick out my attire for the night - a very long red satin gown, with a low-cut neck and wide medieval sleeves. Pulling my corset a couple of centimetres tighter, I slip the gorgeous satin creation on with a wave of my wand. It fits beautifully as always, and the corset makes for a stunning cleavage. I stop for a second to wonder whether this is appropriate for a teacher…..but put the thought out of my head – it looks wonderful, what more could I want. If you've got it, flaunt it.
Well, I don't know how I managed it, but I've got all 4 foot of my hair piled up on top of my head! No muggle hair-spray can compete with a fixing charm! A few ruby hair pins and…..there we go! Finish the whole look off with a black lace choker and I'm done. Tucking my wand into a concealed pocket in the bodice of my gown, I step out of the door and head down to dinner. I hope I do get to sit with Mara…….
*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
Yippee! Three chapters done, and I'm working on the next one. Please review!
1.1 Chapter the Third – Snape and Scarlet Satin
Valerian's POV
Well, here's my room. Or at least, that's what the plaque on the door says. I push the door open gingerly, half expecting something huge and slimy to leap at me from inside…..but nothing does. Phew. Not that I really thought it would, of course……Wow. As rooms go, this one isn't bad.
It's quite spacious, with a high ceiling and stone walls, just like the lounge at the end of the corridor. I think there's several rooms that are mine…this first one seems to be a sort of sitting room, there's a couch and a fireplace, with a coffee table. And that door at the back of the room must lead to the bedroom….I open the door more confidently than last time, and yes it is the bedroom. Smaller than the first room, but with another fireplace and high arched windows. And the bed! It's gorgeous, a huge four- poster with purple curtains, and my trunk is over by the wardrobe. I'll unpack in a minute, I just want to see where this last door leads…..Oh, it's a bathroom. And a nice one, as bathrooms go. There's all the usual facilities, the bath is enormous. Looks like you could fit about 3 people in there…..ahem. I'm assuming I won't be, though. And there's a shower in the corner as well. Very stylish.
Heading back to my bedroom, I've decided to start unpacking things. Going through my trunk, I pull out my dress-robes and gowns first, and hang them up. The space inside the wardrobe seems to be infinite, I've hung up 12 outfits already and there's still bags of room! My corsets and stockings and things can go in that chest of drawers over there. Right. All done. My books, jars, bottles and all my nick-nacks and trinkets I'll sort out later. I'm pretty keen to get back to the rest of the professors and start getting to know people.
As I enter the staff lounge for the second time this morning, only a few teachers turn to look at me. They have all settled back into their seats, and seem absorbed in their own conversations. I guess the novelty of a new professor has worn off already. Where can I sit? There's a seat on that couch next to Madam Pomphrey….or I could sit on my own in the window seat – that's not much good for making new friends. Oh wait, that silver haired witch is beckoning me over – what was her name again? Oh Goddess how embarrassing! I take a seat next to her, in a high-backed black velvet armchair. Classy upholstery they have here.
"Hi Ella, you found your room OK then?" she asks me. She almost looks nervous talking to me. How odd, I'm the one who should be nervous, I'm new here! She has that infectious smile again, and her golden eyes are so bright and twinkling. I think I'm going to like her.
"Yes thank you……Professor….? I'm so sorry, too many names to handle at once!" I smile at her, hoping she doesn't think I'm an absolute moron.
"No worries. It's Hooch. Madam Xiomara Hooch. But since people generally make such a fuss about pronouncing my first name, you can just call me Mara." She seems a little more relaxed. That witch with all the bangles is sitting with us as well, and she's eyeing Mara very suspiciously. Seems a little….'unstable'….if you ask me. Bit of a nut case.
"OK, Mara. I have to admit, I'm a bit nervous, what with it being my first day and all. I'm sure I'm going to get lost or wander into some broom- closet somewhere!" I confess. Something seems to glitter in her eye. Is she laughing at me?
"Don't worry about it, you'll be surprised how quickly you learn the way around. Of course, it doesn't help that there's rooms appearing from nowhere from time to time, but as long as you try to avoid doors with green goo seeping out from under them you should be fine" she grins, those amazing eyes flashing again. "I'll tell you what, since you're new, how about you sit by me at the feast this evening? Then I can run you through the basics and point out troublemakers." I hadn't realised I wanted her to ask me, but as soon as she did I felt a sense of elation and relief.
"I'd love that. So we don't have set places at the staff table?" I ask her….
"….no. Just take one and that'll be your seat until you get fired" an icy voice chips into our conversation, and I turn around to see the greasy- haired potions master leaning on the back of my chair. Mara is giving him a very dirty look, so I'm assuming those two aren't friends. He smirks evilly, leaning down so that his face is almost right next to mine. I can smell herbs and cauldron smoke in his hair. "I'll sit on your other side, Professor. Keep you in line. Make sure Hooch isn't feeding you a pack of lies…." He growls. Something about his demeanour makes me very nervous.
"Errr…..thank you Professor Snape, but I'm sure Mara will help me out" I stammer. Why doesn't he move back? Does the man not know the meaning of "personal space"?
"Exactly, Severus. I'll look after her just fine. She needs a friend, not a semi-dead slimeball drooling over her" Drooling over me? Did I miss something? Is that why he's standing so close to me? I'm beginning to feel like a rag-doll being pulled in two directions at once. That's it, I'm leaving. I hope Mara won't take it personally, but I just have to get out of this situation.
"I'm sorry professors, but if you'll excuse me I have a trunk full of books and jars to sort out….." I make a swift exit, wanting to look back over my shoulder to make sure Mara isn't hurt, but I know that it's not a good idea. I'll just have to see her at the feast tonight.
*~*
Only another hour left until I'm expected in the Great hall. The first carriage-load of students is just rolling up the drive, I can hear the wheels. And I still haven't decided what to wear. It's the first night of term, so I want to make an impression. I think a gown rather than robes. Finally, I pick out my attire for the night - a very long red satin gown, with a low-cut neck and wide medieval sleeves. Pulling my corset a couple of centimetres tighter, I slip the gorgeous satin creation on with a wave of my wand. It fits beautifully as always, and the corset makes for a stunning cleavage. I stop for a second to wonder whether this is appropriate for a teacher…..but put the thought out of my head – it looks wonderful, what more could I want. If you've got it, flaunt it.
Well, I don't know how I managed it, but I've got all 4 foot of my hair piled up on top of my head! No muggle hair-spray can compete with a fixing charm! A few ruby hair pins and…..there we go! Finish the whole look off with a black lace choker and I'm done. Tucking my wand into a concealed pocket in the bodice of my gown, I step out of the door and head down to dinner. I hope I do get to sit with Mara…….
*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
Yippee! Three chapters done, and I'm working on the next one. Please review!