Professor Snape was already at breakfast when Professor Alabaster arrived.
Though she didn't sit near him, she always passed by, giving a smile and a
pleasant "Good Morning" to nearly all the faculty. She deliberately passed
her eyes over the spot he was sitting at.
She sat down next to Hagrid, who gave her a joyful pat on the back. Hagrid and Professor Alabaster were always such good friends and were always laughing about the good times they had when Professor Alabaster was a Hogwarts student.
Professor Snape could see her very clearly now. She had shoulder-length brown hair, which she always let flow down and loose. Eyes that changed colour with her moods. He was amazed to see that they turned almost black when she was angry. She wore a blue velvet dress with her usual black robe, and she never wore makeup.
He was still moping about the fact that she was chosen over him to get the Defense Against the Dark Arts post. There must be some way to prove her incompetence in the field. She couldn't possibly compare to him; after all, his years spying on Voldemort and the Death Eaters should be proof enough of his experience. So why would the Headmaster choose her over him? He would need to find out.
After breakfast was done, the students and faculty went to their respective classes. Today was Thursday, and Professor Alabaster's class was held in the dungeon next to his. He watched her leave to go to her class and followed close behind. At least he had an excuse to follow her. He listened as she entered the class and requested calm so she could begin right away. Though she seemed soft and irresponsible, he was intrigued by the way that she would take charge and change into someone who was so efficient when it came to work. He usually heard good things about her lessons, and many of her students loved her. She liked to teach in more of a practical manner, rather than get tied up in a lot of theory. This was one of the things he criticized about her, but had later found out that the theory work was usually what she assigned for homework, allowing her students to find as much information as they could.
He glided into his class - seventh year Gryffindors and Slytherins. Many of the Gryffindors cringed under his gaze as he approached the podium in the front of the class. With a wave of his hand, the class notes appeared on the board, and he began his lecture.
"Today, we will be working on the Allergen. It is a potion designed to prevent the drinker from having an allergic reaction, and has prevented many deaths as a result. It has also caused some. Anyone hazard a guess why?" He drawled the question.
As usual, Hermione Granger's hand shot up, and as usual he ignored it. "Anyone?"
Her hand remained in the air, the only one. Snape was in a mood today, and that only meant. . .
"Mr Longbottom!" Nevill nearly jumped out of his seat at being called. "Why has this potion also caused death?"
Neville looked up at him, shaking quite visibly, before answering, "Be- becau-se when b-brewed imp-prop-perly, it can actually be a d-deadly p-p- poison." He stuttered, to everyone's amazement. "S-sir."
Snape almost looked as surprised as the rest of the class, and muttered under his breath, "Correct."
Just then, Professor Alabaster appeared in the doorway. She knocked, and Professor Snape looked up. Draco Malfoy saw who it was and gave an unimpressed huff. Professor Alabaster glanced at Draco, and than turned her attentions to Professor Snape.
"Would I be able to borrow Miss Granger for a moment, Professor?" she said in a very serious voice that said that she was still mad, but couldn't get around talking to him.
"I suppose." Professor Snape said, with a wave of his hand, trying to make it sound like his usual mutter to her from before the past events.
Usually Hermoine was annoyed with being interrupted in her classes, but she wasn't too thrilled with having to be in the same room with Professor Snape, as many Gryffindor's felt the same, and she knew that if she had any problems, Professor Alabaster would take time out to help her.
He turned his attention to the other students, and snapped as he pointed to the directions written on the board, "The rest of you get started!"
Professor Snape faced away from the class, annoyed that Professor Alabaster was still angry with him. When Hermoine returned a few moments later, he asked her, "What was so important to the great Professor Alabaster that she had to interrupt my class?"
Hermoine looked up at Professor Snape and explained, "There was some important information about the tutoring program she started that I had to know, and she couldn't get a hold of me any other time."
Professor Snape knew about the program and knew why he wasn't asked to help out. He asked her, just to try and make her feel guilty for not including him. Professor Alabaster told him straight out that since many of the students were quite uncomfortable around him, they would not be able to learn the material any better in a one on one session. Not that he would have been a willing participant.
Although he was still annoyed by this statement and the fact that she didn't care that he may have wanted to help some of the students (Yeah! Right!), that was one thing he had always respected about Professor Alabaster. She never danced around the truth. She was almost always straightforward and honest, unless she couldn't otherwise be. This respect for her hadn't stopped him from criticizing her, but it was the one thing he remembered saying that was complimentary to her. Perhaps this program was the reason for Longbottom's uncharacteristic correct answer in class.
Professor Snape finished up his class for the day. He had the rest of the day to do whatever he felt like doing. He went to his office where he could continue work on a potion that he had been fighting with for weeks. He was trying to find a potion, when thrown into the air, would form a shielding that was nearly impenetrable. Looking over all his calculations and redoing them again and again, he could not figure out why his potion was not coming together. He couldn't make out a single error in his findings, yet this potion was stubbornly failing again and again. After almost 2 hours, he finally couldn't take anymore for the day. Leaving his caldron over the now extinguished fire, he vacated his office to try and clear his mind.
~@~
The weather couldn't have been better that day. The sun was shining, and there was a breeze that made the temperature very comfortable. It was odd that it was not very humid, considering the storm from the night before. He walked along the grounds and spotted some of the students from his house, nodded at them, and continued. He came to the lake nearby and spotted Professor Alabaster leaning against a tree, reading her book.
Professor Alabaster often enjoyed these days. He had often seen her out on the grounds reading and looking out beyond the skyline, almost as if she were looking for something.
As he observed the young woman, a sudden idea came to him.
He approached her with caution. Not wanting to disrupt her pleasant mood, he was hoping they could speak of the events from the week before.
He stood over her, looking down, and in a smooth voice, which surprised her, he said, "Enjoying the day?"
She turned from her book, annoyed that she had been interrupted in what looked like the most interesting part of the story, and looked at him. Not wanting to spoil her mood, she simply stated that she was and went back to her book.
"I couldn't help but notice that you always seem to be reading under this particular tree. Why is that?" The question surprised him. Never before had he given any indication that he paid much attention to her activities.
"It's just quieter here. The shade, the breeze from the lake. Perfect for reading." She seemed to not have even noticed the question, but simply stated the answer.
"Mind if I join you?" Professor Snape asked cautiously, than added, "I promise not to act, what was it again? Ah yes, unprofessional and immature."
"That statement alone just broke your promise." Professor Alabaster said, looking up at him as if he had just thrown her words back at her and not taken her seriously at all.
"I didn't mean it in that way. Is it alright if I join you?" Professor Snape hoped that this statement sounded sincere to her. He wanted to get back to speaking terms.
"You don't need my permission. Do what you like." Professor Alabaster said. She was hoping she could get back to the story without further interruption.
Professor Snape took it as some sort of permission, and was relieved that she seemed to finally be cooling down, though still upset with him. He sat on the ground, leaning against the same tree overlooking the lake. It surprised him that it was, indeed, very relaxing. He took in the breeze and didn't notice when some Slytherin's walked by, amazed that he was sitting on the ground, and beside a former Gryffindor. They, however, did not bother Professor Snape. He had a certain respect from them that made sure they knew not to question what he did.
After about ten minutes, Professor Alabaster closed her book, sighed, and looked out towards the hills and forest. She seemed to be in deep thought, yet relaxed. Finally, she turned to Professor Snape, "What time is it?"
Professor Snape looked at her a moment. He was amazed that she had spoken to him in such a casual tone. He than turned and said "Three."
"I should go have a snack. I missed lunch. Professor Dumbledore will give me a lecture for that." She left the tree and began walking back to the castle. Professor Snape also got up from his spot and went after her.
"Lecture? Why would he give you a lecture?" Professor Snape asked.
"Because he likes to sometimes speak to me as if I'm his daughter." Professor Alabaster stated.
She walked away, giving Professor Snape the impression that their conversation was now over. He allowed her to leave without saying anything back to her, in hopes that he could be on better terms with her. It would take time to repair the damage. After she was more comfortable speaking with him, she may begin to confide in him. He could invite her to sit by him at dinner that night. Maybe talk to her some more; maybe find out why she was chosen over him to teach Defense Against the Dark Arts. 'Yes.' He thought to himself. 'If all goes according to plan, if I play my cards right, she may let something slip.' It would take time to get her to speak with him again, and even more time to get her to open up. But he was willing and determined to put in that time.
She sat down next to Hagrid, who gave her a joyful pat on the back. Hagrid and Professor Alabaster were always such good friends and were always laughing about the good times they had when Professor Alabaster was a Hogwarts student.
Professor Snape could see her very clearly now. She had shoulder-length brown hair, which she always let flow down and loose. Eyes that changed colour with her moods. He was amazed to see that they turned almost black when she was angry. She wore a blue velvet dress with her usual black robe, and she never wore makeup.
He was still moping about the fact that she was chosen over him to get the Defense Against the Dark Arts post. There must be some way to prove her incompetence in the field. She couldn't possibly compare to him; after all, his years spying on Voldemort and the Death Eaters should be proof enough of his experience. So why would the Headmaster choose her over him? He would need to find out.
After breakfast was done, the students and faculty went to their respective classes. Today was Thursday, and Professor Alabaster's class was held in the dungeon next to his. He watched her leave to go to her class and followed close behind. At least he had an excuse to follow her. He listened as she entered the class and requested calm so she could begin right away. Though she seemed soft and irresponsible, he was intrigued by the way that she would take charge and change into someone who was so efficient when it came to work. He usually heard good things about her lessons, and many of her students loved her. She liked to teach in more of a practical manner, rather than get tied up in a lot of theory. This was one of the things he criticized about her, but had later found out that the theory work was usually what she assigned for homework, allowing her students to find as much information as they could.
He glided into his class - seventh year Gryffindors and Slytherins. Many of the Gryffindors cringed under his gaze as he approached the podium in the front of the class. With a wave of his hand, the class notes appeared on the board, and he began his lecture.
"Today, we will be working on the Allergen. It is a potion designed to prevent the drinker from having an allergic reaction, and has prevented many deaths as a result. It has also caused some. Anyone hazard a guess why?" He drawled the question.
As usual, Hermione Granger's hand shot up, and as usual he ignored it. "Anyone?"
Her hand remained in the air, the only one. Snape was in a mood today, and that only meant. . .
"Mr Longbottom!" Nevill nearly jumped out of his seat at being called. "Why has this potion also caused death?"
Neville looked up at him, shaking quite visibly, before answering, "Be- becau-se when b-brewed imp-prop-perly, it can actually be a d-deadly p-p- poison." He stuttered, to everyone's amazement. "S-sir."
Snape almost looked as surprised as the rest of the class, and muttered under his breath, "Correct."
Just then, Professor Alabaster appeared in the doorway. She knocked, and Professor Snape looked up. Draco Malfoy saw who it was and gave an unimpressed huff. Professor Alabaster glanced at Draco, and than turned her attentions to Professor Snape.
"Would I be able to borrow Miss Granger for a moment, Professor?" she said in a very serious voice that said that she was still mad, but couldn't get around talking to him.
"I suppose." Professor Snape said, with a wave of his hand, trying to make it sound like his usual mutter to her from before the past events.
Usually Hermoine was annoyed with being interrupted in her classes, but she wasn't too thrilled with having to be in the same room with Professor Snape, as many Gryffindor's felt the same, and she knew that if she had any problems, Professor Alabaster would take time out to help her.
He turned his attention to the other students, and snapped as he pointed to the directions written on the board, "The rest of you get started!"
Professor Snape faced away from the class, annoyed that Professor Alabaster was still angry with him. When Hermoine returned a few moments later, he asked her, "What was so important to the great Professor Alabaster that she had to interrupt my class?"
Hermoine looked up at Professor Snape and explained, "There was some important information about the tutoring program she started that I had to know, and she couldn't get a hold of me any other time."
Professor Snape knew about the program and knew why he wasn't asked to help out. He asked her, just to try and make her feel guilty for not including him. Professor Alabaster told him straight out that since many of the students were quite uncomfortable around him, they would not be able to learn the material any better in a one on one session. Not that he would have been a willing participant.
Although he was still annoyed by this statement and the fact that she didn't care that he may have wanted to help some of the students (Yeah! Right!), that was one thing he had always respected about Professor Alabaster. She never danced around the truth. She was almost always straightforward and honest, unless she couldn't otherwise be. This respect for her hadn't stopped him from criticizing her, but it was the one thing he remembered saying that was complimentary to her. Perhaps this program was the reason for Longbottom's uncharacteristic correct answer in class.
Professor Snape finished up his class for the day. He had the rest of the day to do whatever he felt like doing. He went to his office where he could continue work on a potion that he had been fighting with for weeks. He was trying to find a potion, when thrown into the air, would form a shielding that was nearly impenetrable. Looking over all his calculations and redoing them again and again, he could not figure out why his potion was not coming together. He couldn't make out a single error in his findings, yet this potion was stubbornly failing again and again. After almost 2 hours, he finally couldn't take anymore for the day. Leaving his caldron over the now extinguished fire, he vacated his office to try and clear his mind.
~@~
The weather couldn't have been better that day. The sun was shining, and there was a breeze that made the temperature very comfortable. It was odd that it was not very humid, considering the storm from the night before. He walked along the grounds and spotted some of the students from his house, nodded at them, and continued. He came to the lake nearby and spotted Professor Alabaster leaning against a tree, reading her book.
Professor Alabaster often enjoyed these days. He had often seen her out on the grounds reading and looking out beyond the skyline, almost as if she were looking for something.
As he observed the young woman, a sudden idea came to him.
He approached her with caution. Not wanting to disrupt her pleasant mood, he was hoping they could speak of the events from the week before.
He stood over her, looking down, and in a smooth voice, which surprised her, he said, "Enjoying the day?"
She turned from her book, annoyed that she had been interrupted in what looked like the most interesting part of the story, and looked at him. Not wanting to spoil her mood, she simply stated that she was and went back to her book.
"I couldn't help but notice that you always seem to be reading under this particular tree. Why is that?" The question surprised him. Never before had he given any indication that he paid much attention to her activities.
"It's just quieter here. The shade, the breeze from the lake. Perfect for reading." She seemed to not have even noticed the question, but simply stated the answer.
"Mind if I join you?" Professor Snape asked cautiously, than added, "I promise not to act, what was it again? Ah yes, unprofessional and immature."
"That statement alone just broke your promise." Professor Alabaster said, looking up at him as if he had just thrown her words back at her and not taken her seriously at all.
"I didn't mean it in that way. Is it alright if I join you?" Professor Snape hoped that this statement sounded sincere to her. He wanted to get back to speaking terms.
"You don't need my permission. Do what you like." Professor Alabaster said. She was hoping she could get back to the story without further interruption.
Professor Snape took it as some sort of permission, and was relieved that she seemed to finally be cooling down, though still upset with him. He sat on the ground, leaning against the same tree overlooking the lake. It surprised him that it was, indeed, very relaxing. He took in the breeze and didn't notice when some Slytherin's walked by, amazed that he was sitting on the ground, and beside a former Gryffindor. They, however, did not bother Professor Snape. He had a certain respect from them that made sure they knew not to question what he did.
After about ten minutes, Professor Alabaster closed her book, sighed, and looked out towards the hills and forest. She seemed to be in deep thought, yet relaxed. Finally, she turned to Professor Snape, "What time is it?"
Professor Snape looked at her a moment. He was amazed that she had spoken to him in such a casual tone. He than turned and said "Three."
"I should go have a snack. I missed lunch. Professor Dumbledore will give me a lecture for that." She left the tree and began walking back to the castle. Professor Snape also got up from his spot and went after her.
"Lecture? Why would he give you a lecture?" Professor Snape asked.
"Because he likes to sometimes speak to me as if I'm his daughter." Professor Alabaster stated.
She walked away, giving Professor Snape the impression that their conversation was now over. He allowed her to leave without saying anything back to her, in hopes that he could be on better terms with her. It would take time to repair the damage. After she was more comfortable speaking with him, she may begin to confide in him. He could invite her to sit by him at dinner that night. Maybe talk to her some more; maybe find out why she was chosen over him to teach Defense Against the Dark Arts. 'Yes.' He thought to himself. 'If all goes according to plan, if I play my cards right, she may let something slip.' It would take time to get her to speak with him again, and even more time to get her to open up. But he was willing and determined to put in that time.