11. Dumbledore's Dungeon Diversion
Evangeline had regained her composure by the time she came down for dinner. She was joined by her three companions of the evening before, and since there was no more talk of werewolves, dinner proceeded in an enjoyable fashion.
As they were beginning their dessert course, Evangeline looked at Professor Dumbledore and asked, "So, what is there to do around here for an evening's entertainment?"
Professor Dumbledore paused to consider for a moment, then replied, "Well, most of the professors seem to find reading or working on their personal research to be very fulfilling, but I don't imagine that's quite what you had in mind. Is it, my dear?" His eyes twinkled at her.
She twinkled back. "No, I was hoping for something more along the lines of a leisure activity. Is there nothing either here, or in Hogsmeade, worth devoting an evening to?"
Dumbledore smiled again. "Well, my dear, how do you feel about ten pin bowling?" Both McGonagall and Snape made small noises that might have been abortive laughs. Evangeline couldn't be sure from their carefully blank expressions.
"Actually, I love to bowl. Is there an alley in Hogsmeade?" she inquired interestedly.
"Not in Hogsmeade. There's a bowling alley right here in the dungeons of the castle. It's a little indulgence of mine. Perhaps after dinner we should investigate it together. It's not very often that I can persuade anyone else to join me," he said with a sigh.
"Really?" exclaimed Evangeline eyeing the other professors. "None of you like to bowl?"
Flitwick muttered that it seemed to be a pastime that required long legs. Minerva said that it hurt her back, and she didn't enjoy the noise. Evangeline turned to Snape. "And what's your excuse, Severus?"
He hesitated and looked at Dumbledore. "It always struck me as a rather undignified pursuit."
Evangeline laughed. "Perhaps, but it's a lot of fun. You strike me as someone who could use a little more fun in your life, Severus." She turned back to Professor Dumbledore. "I'd be glad to bowl a couple of games with you after dinner, Professor, just lead the way."
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So Professor Dumbledore lead her down into the dungeons past Snape's classroom and quarters and down another set of stairs to yet a lower level of the castle. Coming to a large door at the end of a corridor, he courteously held it open for her to enter then he followed her into the room, eager to see her reaction. Inside was a well-lit bowling alley with four lanes. Lively music was coming from somewhere, and a house elf popped up from behind a counter, and asked how he could be of service.
Very impressed, Evangeline smiled at Dumbledore and said, "This is wonderful. Are you really the only person who uses this place?"
He chuckled and replied, "Well, I've been able to persuade some of the other professors to join me from time to time, but in general, I bowl alone. I find it helps my concentration actually. However, you my dear, may join me anytime you wish. Also, you should feel free to come here on your own, if you choose. It's here for the free use of the staff, after all. Even if most of them have resisted using the privilege so far."
"That's very kind of you, Professor Dumbledore." Evangeline smiled at him.
He raised an admonishing finger to her. "Now, Evangeline, if it can be Severus and Minerva, don't you think you could call me Albus?"
"I'll try, sir, but frankly, that'll take more getting used to than it did to call Professor McGonagall, Minerva. It was a bit easier with Severus, since I never sat classes with him."
"No." Considered Dumbledore. "You were actually here at Hogwarts at the same time, I believe. He was a 7th year when you were a 1st year."
"Really?" she exclaimed in surprise. "I don't think I remember him. I have only hazy memories of any of the upperclassmen from when I started here." She considered it for a moment. "I do seem to remember a prefect with very dark eyes, who didn't have any patience at all with the first years. That could've been him, I suppose."
"It could indeed," agreed Dumbledore with a smile. "Well, shall we get started?"
The house elf, whose name was Rooty, offered them their bowling shoes. Dumbledore's were gold with large fluttering blue butterflies on them. Hers were green with pink roses that kept opening and closing. Even though they hadn't told the elf what size to give them, the shoes fit perfectly. Evangeline suspected they were another pair of self-adjusting shoes. They moved over to a rack of brightly colored balls. Dumbledore indicated that she should select one from here. She found a green and white one in the correct weight and put her hand in the holes to test the grip. The ball immediately conformed to her hand as if it had been drilled for her.
I think I'm going to enjoy this! She thought gleefully.
Rooty brought over a gold bag and presented it to Dumbledore with a flourish, who thanked him, and took out a red and gold swirled ball, which he wiped off carefully with a soft white cloth. He smiled at Evangeline. "I keep my own ball here. Rooty takes excellent care of it. Well, my dear, shall we get started?" With a wave of his hand, he indicated the first lane, which was now lit up, and ready to go.
Dumbledore waved his hand once more, and the scoreboard now indicated their names, and that she should bowl first. So she stepped up to the line and took her first shot. After half a dozen frames, she realized from her dismal showing, that it had been quite awhile since she'd bowled. Dumbledore, however, was showing nothing but strikes on his side of the scoreboard. She watched with admiration, as he threw the ball down the alley. It made a graceful arc, almost hit the gutter, and then at the last moment curved back in, to smash into the pins at exactly the right spot to cause them all to fall in a flurry of activity. And he did it all wearing his usual long flowing robes. She snorted to herself. If she'd tried this, wearing robes, instead of jeans, she'd have been flat on her face in the alley several times already.
As he racked up another perfect score, Dumbledore turned back to Evangeline with a smile. "Your turn, my dear."
She sighed. "You know Professor Dumbl...I mean, Albus. I think I know the real reason the other professors don't want to bowl with you. You're just too good! Do you ever get anything but strikes?"
He smiled. "Of course I do. Although, not very often anymore, I admit. I've been playing the game for many many years, after all. Do you really think that's what stops them?"
She shrugged and smiled apologetically. "Could be. Next to you, anyone would look bad, and I can't imagine that would be very attractive to them." Especially not to Severus, she thought, although she didn't say it out loud.
Dumbledore looked momentarily saddened. "Does this mean that you won't bowl with me anymore, either?"
She snorted. "No, you can't get rid of me that easily. I try to bowl only against myself, anyway. It's far less frustrating. Although, I admit I'm not doing particularly well at the moment. Perhaps I could persuade one of the others to come bowl against me. I'm certainly not very intimidating. Once they give it a try, I'll bet they'll start to enjoy it."
The Headmaster looked happier at the prospect, and they continued to bowl in a good frame of mind. He asked her how she was getting along with the pictures, and she told him that she'd be ready to begin tomorrow. Then she lowered her voice, and asked him if he'd come up with anything to solve the problem she'd laid on his plate when she'd first come to Hogwarts, a few days ago. The kindly wizard patted her hand and told her not to worry. He'd only begun to work on the problem, and it would take some time.
As they were finishing up their second game, Dumbledore leaned over and whispered to her that here might be an opportunity for her to interest another member of his staff in the game. It appeared that they had acquired an audience of one. In the farthest corner of the room, sitting quietly, with his arms crossed over his chest, was Severus Snape.
Dumbledore stood up and said, "Well, my dear, that was very enjoyable, but I'm afraid two games is all I have time for this evening."
"Oh, dear, are you sure that you couldn't bowl just one more?" she said with a teasing smile.
His eyes twinkled. "No, I'm afraid I can't tonight, but please feel free to stay as long as you want, and to use the bowling alley as often as you wish." He removed his shoes and replaced his ball in his bag. Rooty appeared to take both items for Dumbledore, who thanked him, winked at Evangeline, and turned and left the room.