"Pardon me, Headmaster?" Snape scowled.
He was sitting in a comfy armchair in Dumbledore's office, facing the Headmaster.
||The man is nuttier than I thought!||
"I was hoping that you take part in the Ball planning, Severus, as I'm far too busy at the moment. I trust you can keep the students' feet on the ground, so they don't go over the top with the decorations" the older man smiled.
||Look who's talking, Albus.||
"Of course, I would take part myself if only I could…"
"Is this truly necessary?"
"Yes, I'm afraid so." The Headmaster looked a little amused.
"Very well, then, Headmaster" Snape snapped, got up and marched out of the Headmaster's office.
A little later he was on his way to the prefects' room. He paced quickly and didn't really pay attention to his surroundings, so he didn't notice Hermione Granger running along one corridor… and straight into him! Snape couldn't help a tiny shiver, as he felt the young woman's body pressed to his for a second.
"Uhh! Sorry, um. Professor… Snape" she gulped and stared at him frightened.
Blood was pounding in his ears and he couldn't make out the words.
"Watch where you're… going, Herm… Miss Granger" he said stammering a bit.
"Yes, Professor. Sorry."
Hermione continued walking towards the prefects' room, a few steps ahead Snape. He noticed her giving him strange looks every now and then.
||This might be nice after all. I almost forgot, that Hermione would be at the meeting, too.||
Hermione opened the door and took a look at Snape, who was also standing by the door now.
"Are… are you coming, too, Professor?" she said surprised.
Snape fought back the urge to smile widely and instead scowled "Yes, unfortunately."
She paled a little and stepped in, followed by Snape. Everyone else was already there, gathered around a huge table chattering loudly. Snape felt the vein on his temple start throbbing and cleared his throat. Most of the students raised their heads and quickly went quiet.
"I believe we have a Halloween ball to plan, so we'd better get started and perhaps we won't be sitting here wasting our time at midnight."
Ginny grabbed some parchment and ink and announced, that she'd be the secretary. Hermione sat down next to Snape, as it was the only seat left.
"Good. Now where is Mr Malfoy?"
"He wasn't feeling allright, so he went to get some Pepper-Up Potion from Madame Pomfrey." Blaise said promptly.
"I see. Well, what are you waiting for? Let me know your ideas, so I'll consider them. Just remember, I am no Albus Dumbledore, so you'd better be careful with your suggestions."