Severus caught up with a soaked Olivia under the shelter of the castle. He ran his hand through his hair to get it out of his face, scowling at the idea of being drenched as well as being disappointed their kiss didn't happen. The moment was gone now and thank fuck too. He didn't go around snogging women he'd just met!
Olivia gathered his cloak around her tighter, trying to keep warm. She smiled beautifully at Severus.
He looked good wet.
She took out her wand to cast a drying and warming charm on both of them. "Thanks for the walk, Severus. It was really nice, especially the end bit." She nibbled on her lower lip as she fantasized about that almost kiss. She placed her hands on his chest, teasingly rubbing them up and down against his core as she manipulated him to step backwards and become pinned against the wall. The appendage in his trousers seemed to have awakened... yet again... at her touch. His eyes frantically darted from side to side, making sure no one had witnessed his vulnerability.
Clearing his throat, he gently removed her hands from his person. "Ahem. R-right. Shall I take you to meet Poppy now?" He cocked his left eyebrow with his question, hoping his intimidating gaze counteracted his flustered stutter. Olivia snorted. She enjoyed flustering the man. She was also amused that he called McGonagall and Pomfrey by their first names but wouldn't allow himself to say "Olivia".
"Of course! I'm quite excited, lead the way, Professor," She enunciated his title, letting him know she understood his need to be treated professionally within the castle.
"Right. Well, the first floor has the hospital wing, just on the other side of the Great Hall. Should you need anything, and Poppy isn't available, Minnie's office is just through the entrance hall over there," Severus pointed out.
"And what if I need you?"
"Ah. Well, I'm in the dungeons, Miss Wright, I'm afraid I wouldn't be much help. Although, I do see to most of the nightly patrols should trouble occur."
Olivia would have to remember that fact. "Do I get a tour of the rest of the castle? After I meet Poppy?"
"Perhaps. Though it will likely be time for dinner at that point... and then the nail-biting name drawing for our dear champions," Severus remarked sarcastically. Olivia snickered. They started to walk through the great hall on their way to the hospital wing, seemingly in no rush, so they could enjoy more time together. She wished he'd hold her hand again.
"You don't seem to care much, do you? About the tournament, I mean."
"Not particularly, no. As long as the winner isn't a bloody Gryffindor," he rolled his eyes as she bit her lip to hide yet another laugh.
"Why not? Don't you want your school to win?"
"I couldn't care less to be honest. Just a big distraction from the students' learning materials as far as I'm concerned. They have the attention span of a goldfish without a tournament, let alone with one going on. My lesson plans have already been destroyed and it's not even bloody November yet. I just... Well, Minnie and I have a bet going on and I'll be damned if I'm going to buy her a crystal decanter of Scotch, the Witch has expensive tastes you know." Severus smirked. Of course, if a Slytherin won, he'd get to decide the detentions for all the Gryffindors for the rest of the term. He'd bribe the damn goblet if he thought he could - that was a deal too good to lose.
"You and Minerva seem to be close. It must be nice to have a friend around here." She was fishing for some information about the enigma that was Severus Snape. She had already spoken with Sprout and Flit, but neither of them could really tell her anything about him. She hadn't had the chance to question Minerva alone yet.
"Yes. Minnie and I go back quite a while. She was my professor before I became her colleague. And we have similar tastes and interests, I suppose. She's too damn nosey for my liking but other than that, she's okay to have tea with I suppose." Severus lightly placed his hand behind Olivia's lower back to gently nudge her forward through the hospital doors. They were greeted by Madam Pomfrey who offered a warm smile at the girl as she flitted her eyes back and forth between Severus and the young witch.
Merlin. She's as bad as Minerva. No doubt she's been gossiping over morning tea.
Severus was getting annoyed. He just wanted some peace and quiet on this damnable day and didn't want to be involved in any sort of gossip circle.
"Poppy, may I introduce you to Olivia Wright, the healer from the Beauxbatons. Olivia, Madam Poppy Pomfrey, our brilliant Mediwitch." The women shook hands as Severus bowed his head and took his leave. Olivia turned anxiously around to try to ask him when she'd see him again but when she turned around, he was already gone.
"Hello, dear! Nice to finally meet you! I've heard a lot about you from the other staff members!" Olivia blushed, she had only just arrived, and people had already started talking about her.
"Wow! Well, all good things I hope?" She teased.
"Of course, of course! And your reputation precedes you! I've never known Severus to be that pleasant around anyone before. Come, let me take you on the grand tour."
Interesting. He can be a bit snarky and sarcastic, but she wouldn't think that him being kind to someone would be a rare occurrence.
XOX
"Ah! Severus! I've been looking all over for you." Minerva approached a cantankerous Snape in his office, ignoring the closed door and walking right in.
"Minerva. What a pleasant surprise. Do come in... I hope I didn't inconvenience you with the locked door..." Severus rolled his eyes in annoyance. He brought his hand up to massage the bridge of his nose as he waited for Minerva to get to the point.
"How was your date with Olivia? I trust you got her to Poppy alright? What did you talk about?"
"Fuck, woman! It wasn't a bloody date. I was acting as an ambassador showing a guest the castle grounds before taking her to her place of business."
"Really? You two seemed quite cozy before the rainstorm... I had no idea that ambassadors were supposed to snog during their tour," the lioness purred as she teased her friend.
"Really, Minnie? Spying?" He narrowed his eyes at her before continuing. "Besides, there wasn't any 'snogging', I was merely bending down to listen better; she's quite short you know." He winced - even he didn't believe that.
"Shame about the rain. I was really looking forward to seeing what happened next."
So was he.
"Damnit Minerva. Is there a point to this visit?" Severus was having a hard time hiding his ire at this point. He felt too exposed as is; he didn't need the bloody Gossip of Gryffindor running around spreading rumors.
"Not really, no. I just love watching you squirm, my boy." With that Minerva chortled, bolting out of her seat and out the door as Severus cast a harmless stinging hex at the woman, missing her purposefully.
Cheeky chit.
XOX
Olivia had spent the rest of the time before the feast with Poppy. She was shown the numerous hospital beds, including the 6 private rooms; there was an office that Poppy used, that Olivia could also use as needed; she was shown the potion stores as well as equipment storage for bandages and the like. It was a really large wing and rather well equipped.
She felt at ease with Pomfrey. They spoke about their education as well as the difference between Great Britain, France, and America. But they also spoke about Hogwarts itself and, of course, Severus. Apparently, he was quite the troublemaker growing up and Poppy had healed him time and time again throughout his years at the castle. Poppy displayed a harrowing look that did not get past Olivia.
Severus Snape evidently had a haunted history. Olivia hoped he would open up to her, she wanted to make him feel better; feel good. Hopefully after the champions were picked, he'd let her go down to his office to work on some brews and have a chat. The first task would be soon as she needed to be prepared.
XOX
The Halloween feast was dragging on, as usual. Severus had enjoyed his earlier distraction but ever since he had dropped Olivia off with Poppy, his day got sour again. Between Minnie being a proper pain in the arse, and his own fucked up mind replaying the death of Lily Evans in some kind of fucked up loop, he was ready to sulk off to his chambers and sod right off to sleep.
But first, food. Then, the bloody champions.
Minerva sat next to Severus, who again, conveniently found an empty chair beside him. Olivia had arrived at the meal late after her meeting with Pomfrey, but luckily had been able to snag the seat to Severus' left. Olivia had felt lucky at the coincidence but when she saw Minerva's Cheshire grin, she knew it was planned. Somehow, the Gryffindor head of house was able to tell that she was interested in the dark, brooding wizard it had seemed. Come to think of it, so did quite a few people.
Was she that obvious?
Poppy rarely took meals in the great hall, usually choosing to eat in her office in case someone needed to find her quickly. Tonight however, she attended the feast as she not only wanted to escort Olivia, but she wanted to see who the champions would be. She sat to Minerva's other side. The two elder witches were gossiping, of course throughout the meal as they waited for Dumbledore to finish.
"How did Miss Wright fare with the hospital wing? Think she'll be comfortable there?" Minerva asked.
"She's lovely! It was a pleasure to meet her, I'm hoping we will be able to learn from each other since we have different training. Curious though, Snape escorted her it seemed. Bit out of character for the ol' bat, isn't it?"
Minerva grinned. "She's quite smitten with him too it seems, she can't keep her eyes off him." She cocked a brow as she nonchalantly gestured towards the girl who was dreamily staring at the man as he pushed food around on his plate.
"Minerva McGonagall! When are you going to leave the poor boy alone? You're always trying to fix him up with some witch. Although, I will hand it to you... she does look interested. And I've never known Severus to go out of his way to escort someone around the castle," Pomfrey pondered.
"You should've seen them earlier! I swear, Poppy, they were so close to snogging if the damned storm would've held off, I'm positive they would've ended up in bed!" Minerva stifled a laugh, the man was right beside them after all, and he would undoubtedly murder her if he heard what she was saying.
Poppy choked on her water at Minerva's discovery. She couldn't help but snap her head around to look at the couple in question, only to be greeted by a sneer from the man himself, and an elbow to the ribs by McGonagall. The women stopped talking as he was now without a doubt sure they were up to something. They giggled and gave each other a few knowing smirks throughout the rest of the meal, keeping the conversation about their opinions on the tournament.
XOX
The mood of the entire hall was that of impatience. Staff, students, and visitors alike were constantly craning their necks, fidgeting, and standing up to take a glance towards Dumbledore to see if he had finished eating yet. As soon as the golden plates disappeared, Dumbledore rose from his chair. Severus noted the expectant faces of Maxime and Karkaroff, as well as a beaming Bagman. Crouch at least looked as bored as Severus did.
"Well, the goblet is almost ready to make its decision," said Dumbledore. "I estimate that it requires one more minute. Now, when the champions names are called, I would ask them to please come up to the top of the Hall, walk along the staff table, and go through into the next chamber where they will be receiving their first instructions."
Dumbledore took out his wand and gave a great sweeping wave with it; at once, all the candles except those inside the carved pumpkins were extinguished, plunging them into a state of semi darkness. The goblet of fire now shone more brightly than anything in the whole Hall, the sparkling bright, blue-whiteness of the flames almost painful on the eyes. Everyone watched, waiting. The pomp and circumstance that was being displayed right now was driving Severus insane. Just hurry up and draw the bloody names so we can get on with the rest of our lives, he thought.
Suddenly, the flames inside the goblet turned red as Sparks began to fly from it. Within the next minute a flame shot into the air, a charred piece of parchment flooded out of it and the whole room gasped. Dumbledore called a piece of parchment and held it at arm's length, so that he could read it by the light of the flames, which had turned back to the blue-white.
" The champion for the Durmstrang will be Viktor Krum," Dumbledore called out in a strong and clear voice. Krum rose from the Slytherin table and walked towards Dumbledore before turning right and walking along the staff table and disappearing through the door next to the chamber. Severus rolled his eyes as he heard Karkaroff yell so loudly that everyone in the hall could hear him, even over the applause. As the clapping and shouting calmed down, the attention was again focused on the goblet which had started burning bright red once more. The second piece of parchment shot out of it, propelled by the flames and into Dumbledore's hand.
" The champion for the Beauxbatons is Fleur Delacour!" Called out Dumbledore. Severus turned to Olivia to offer a small smile as the rest of the room hooted and hollered as the beautiful young witch Rose from her seat to retreat into the back room with Viktor Krum.
Silence again overtook the Great Hall. This time, the silence was thick with the excitement of learning the Hogwarts champion. The goblet of fire turned red once again; and once again a bit of parchment found its way into Dumbledore's hand. Snape and McGonagall found each other's penetrating stares as they each hoped they would win the bet.
"The Hogwarts champion," called Dumbledore, "is Cedric Diggory!"
The entire Hufflepuff table rose to their feet, applauding. Sprout clapped her hands and yelled out with maternal pride for the boy. Severus and Minerva slumped in their chairs, disappointed in the stalemate.
"Well, at least the puffers will finally get some attention," Snape chided.
"Severus... shush..." laughed McGonagall as she nudged Severus playfully. She had to admit though, out of all the houses, Hufflepuff really didn't get enough credit.
"Excellent! We now have our three champions. I am sure I can count upon all of you, including the remaining students from Beauxbatons and Durmstrang, to give your champions every ounce of support you can muster." Dumbledore was suddenly distracted, as was everyone else in the room. Severus's eyes darted to the goblet which had roared to life again. Sparks were flying out of it, and a long flame shot suddenly into the air. Dumbledore reached out a long hand and seized the parchment that flew from the goblet. He held it out and stared at the name written upon it. There was a long pause, during which Dumbledore stared at the slip in his hands, and everyone in the room stared at Dumbledore. And then Dumbledore cleared his throat and read out — "Harry Potter."
Fucking Potter.
