Impraesentiarum Ch 7
The day passed remarkably quickly. Hermione had only seen Malfoy a couple times, and he seemed to keep to himself very nicely. Dinner was less awkward than breakfast, and she even dared a small look at Snape's direction. She was surprised to see him nod and acknowledge her. She maneuvered herself out of a conversation with Ron and Harry about it, whilst covering herself as to where she was going tonight.
"I have detention with Snape. I was caught in the halls last night after hours looking for you two."
"Us? Why us?"
"Well, I thought I heard you whispering about going out last night and I was going to stop you guys from getting into trouble. And I was the one who ended up in trouble."
"Geez. We're sorry Hermione."
"Its alright Ron, this time."
"Hey Herm, you better get a move on then. You don't want to be late to Snape's detention." Harry said.
She nodded and quickly got up from the table, heading for the dungeons.
Once at Snape's office, she uttered the password, which she did look up in the library at lunch and found particularly ironic, entered and sat waiting for him.
Soon a voice interrupted her thoughts.
"Don't slouch Hermione. Posture always."
She immediately straightened.
"Now, Good evening Hermione."
"Good evening, Severus."
He sat in the chair next to her this time and began to speak again.
"What have you told your friends?"
"I have detention for being out after hours looking for them."
"Good. How will you explain why you come here every night?"
"Well, I had thought about that and....."
"Yes?"
"Umm....If I told them you offered me an apprenticeship, then I'd have a reason to be here. You cant just keep giving me detention for something. They'd get suspicious of that."
"Hmm...the idea has the best merit. Yes, that will suffice."
"Alright, Ill tell them when I get back tonight."
"Good. Now I will start with the basics. Always sit straight. Don't fidget. Don't ramble. Don't dawdle. Always articulate. Always greet others. Always be polite. Always act superior. Always have the upper hand. Always follow my lead. Always-"
"Ok ok. Severus. Look, I think its better for you to show me the things I should do, and If I do something wrong then say its wrong and I wont do it again. But this listing things isn't going to work."She said, cutting him off.
He sighed.
"You're right."
He put his head in his hands.
"How am I ever going to make you ready for this? There's so much to know and do.."
She put a hand on his arm.
"I got us into this, and Im darn well going to make sure I help get us out. Trust me Severus. Look, when is the next societal meeting?"
"Hmm..next month at the Malfoy Manor. Its Narcissa's birthday."
"Ok then we have a month. Its going to take a lot of work, but I can do it. WE can do it."
He looked at her then. Such wisdom and strength for such a young face.
"Alright, first we'll work on your speech.Then we'll move to manners and etiquette. Then we'll work on walking and graces."
"Sounds pretty good to me."
"Ah ah.What you said sounded too common. Try, "That sounds most wonderful.""
"That sounds most wonderful."
"Good. Oh, what are your plans for tomorrow Hermione?"
"Well, I was going to buy some candy in Hogsmeade, but if Im going to have to fit into dresses..."
"Well, that is what I wanted to talk to you about. Since Saturday leaves me without classes, I was going to see if I could take you to buy some clothes."
"That sounds fine to me. Ill just tell harry that Im going to buy ingredients with you."
"Alright, is 9:00 too early?"
"That's fine."
"No. That is highly acceptable."
"That is highly acceptable."
"Good. Now to move to commonly used phrases....."
And there they stayed, her talking and him correcting until it was time for curfew.
Snape had decided to walk her to her dormitory.
"You did well tonight Hermione. But, we still have a lot to cover."
"Yes Severus."
"Good evening Hermione."
"Good evening Severus."
As she began to go inside the common room she turned and watched him walk down the hall away from her.
He's not so bad. No. He is quite pleasing after all.