Oh, ain't it great, Professor?, roared Hagrid, somewhat tipsily, whalloping me so hard on the back I thought my brains were temporarily displaced, I keep tellin' everyone that Dumbledore is a great man. He brought my Mione back, and Remus too. It took more than a few minutes to recover from Hagrid's mammoth show of enthusiasm. I sat gasping, gripping the base of my goblet as tightly as I could without breaking my own fingers.
The Gryfindor's were looking at me curiously, an insolent delight scrawled upon their faces. I scowled at them, crossing my arms defensively. Several looked away, unnerved, whilst another girl, curiously likened to Ron Weasley did not. , I began, politely waiting as he was still chattering to Hooch. I had always suspected him of having more than one set of ears, as he turned immediately towards me, but was still able to interject comments into Hooch's direction.
Yes, Severus?, he asked, his eyes unusually bright. I surmised that it wasn't only Hagrid who had taken a fair amount of the Firewhiskey from the flask. That...child, sitting right there at the Gryfindor table. No, Headmaster, those are the Hufflepuffs....yes, yes, the one with the flaming hair, they wouldn't have anything to do with Ron Weasley?, I said tenatively. He nodded, clasping his hands round his protruding belly, looking all the more like a jolly Father Christmas Wizard. Ah yes, our favorite student (a dersive snort made by myself) did end up procreating' as you artfully put it. He, in fact, married Lavender Brown, after college. He graduated with top honors, he said pridefully glancing at the girl, whose face zoomed crimson when she caught his eye. He laughed, Well, at least the blush is hereditary.
I hope to gods the foolishness isn't, I muttered quietly, forgetting that Dumbledore had unnaturally keen senses. He gave me another one of his hard stares, and said nothing. I stared into my place, suddenly finding the treacle tart fascinating.
I rose from the table, pushing my chair away stiffly. Even from the little nourishment I had gleaned, I already felt more enlivened. Immediately, the rubbish disappeared from the plates, and the teachers stood up excitedly, clamoring to both Granger and Lupin. I turned away in disgust, wondering why any normal people would find a bushy haired misanthrope and a lycanthropic demon hunter so fascinating.
I was just nearly ready to collapse into my bed, when I heared Albus' voice echo loudly and clearly, Surely, Professor Granger, you remember Professor Snape?. I cringed, feeling much the guilty criminal caught slinking away. With great fondness , she said in an oddly cold tone. She extended her hand, and I grasped it warily, detesting human contact for any great length of time.
Mercifully, she felt the same about shaking my hand, for she dropped it quickly. I took time to glance at her, and found that she had muchly changed. Her hair, ungovernable as ever, was clasped to the back of her head. The fugitive strands had furrowed out, giving her an oddly appeasing look. Her light brown eyes were darkened with maturity, and time had given her an all over more pleasant appearance. Although the awkward adolescent would never quite be vanquished, it's most heinous traces were permamently erased.
She was still nearly a head shorter than I, but for some reason I felt belittled under her stern gaze. Although, perhaps not severe enough to turn into another Minerva Mcgonagall, I suppose she still would have made a fine new librarian.
She suddenly gave a loud cough, and I realised I had said nothing for about thirty seconds. Professor Granger, Headmaster, I said, especially mocking her new title, I'm so sorry to be deprived of your...pleasant company, but I'm afraid that I have an even more pressing matter to attend to: a new batch of Gryfindors.
Her brown eyes narrowed a trifle, and she crossed her arms. Her lips were pursed annoyedly, and I was quite gratified that I had succeeded in disarming her. But only for a second.
Ah, well Severus, I'll be sure to warn my own student body that the infamous potion masters's bite is far more lethal than his bark, she said calmly, a very, very faint smirk on her face. I suddenly felt my mirth drain out of me. Albus, to my extreme annoyance, was grinning, quite amused at this exchange. Well, children, I am utterly pleased the tone of normality has gone unaltered all these years. I find I must extract myself and discuss Remus' schedule, he excused himself.
Granger and I were left glaring at each other, both eager to readily dismember the other. I do not appreciate my first name being used by way of insult, I said coldly, finding the cold tone that was so very effective when she was younger. It still worked. She looked flustered for a second, very much like the young girl I had tormented so mercilessly. But, she had obviously learned composure, Oh. I had never figured you one an advocate for an injured masculine ego, professor.
I raised my eyebrows. Damned if this foolish woman wasn't getting the better of me.