9. Something Weird
*****************************
Disclaimer: Not mine, blah, blah, blah.
*****************************
Well, the girl obviously wasn't waking up.
Severus slowly paced at the end of Ginny's bed, sending her inert form a glare every now and then for good measure, even though it did nothing, seeing as she was asleep.
He paused after a few minutes, and sighed angrily, dropping his head against his palm.
Why did she have to be so bloody bothersome? At every turn, it one thing or another, some new inconvenience, some new nuisance with her.
Hell, if it had the name Potter or Weasley even scarcely connected with it, it had the word 'migraine' written all over it.Severus passed his hand over his eyes, and very warily turned his head to focus on the said troublesome occupant of the huge four poster bed.
Unfortunately, this particular, piercing headache had the hair and face of an angel, and was in possession of a disturbingly shapely body that would doubtlessly haunt him for the rest of his days.
Severus tapped his fingertips absently against his jaw, and then raised them to rake several black strands of hair behind his ear.
Why was he feeling so guilty?
He clenched his teeth, and impatiently swept the trailing ends of his robes from his path before making good his retreat.
He would warn Poppy of the girl's condition and return to his rooms for a small measure of peace before the chaos of the coming days.
**********************
The next morning Severus rose thoroughly unrested from his bed, and for the first time in his life, nearly late for class.
The mirror in his private bathroom snickered appropriately at his rumpled appearance, and he scowled at his reflection.
There were dark circles under his eyes attesting to the fact he had not slept well - he'd been thinking about Ginny, about her condition, and working and reworking measurements in his head for the ingredients he would use for her potion.
He dressed with quick, efficient motions, and made his way out of the dungeons, intent on seeing Ginny's condition for himself before the school day started.
Severus was rounding a corner when hushed voices from inside the D.A.D.A. classroom made him stop in his tracks. He narrowed his eyes, and stopped before reaching the door, carefully remaining out of sight as he listened inquisitively.
**********************
"He did what?"
"I swear, it's true - "
"Only yesterday you were harping on about her and Snape snogging - "
Severus felt his hands fist at his sides. It was more than a bit unsettling to hear his name and the word 'snogging' in the same sentence.
"You saw the look she gave us - And I thought women her age were far beyond blushing."
"She's only barely four years older than us, if that - don't talk about her as if she's ancient. Besides, I thought it was charming - "
"Oh, go on, Ashley - I'm so tired of listening to you go on about Professor Weasley! 'I thought it was charming' - get off it, honestly!"
"Shut up, Jakoby," came a boy's husky mumble.
"Really, Jak, you're just jealous - everyone knows you have a fancy for 'Ol Ash here - "
"Quiet before I'm forced to hex you, Zander!"
"Zander, knock it off - "
"So he was carrying her? No, I flat out refuse to believe it - he could have summoned a stretcher, or used a levitation charm."
Severus felt a snarl cross his lips.
So here was the culprit, the one who'd been spreading rumors - only now the girl had the cheek to start distributing out right lies.
"Not if he was in love with her."
He blinked. The girl needed to be muzzled for saying such hideous things.
"Kayla!"
"Ha! Snape in love? Should I die laughing now, or wait until after dinner? What are we having for dessert tonight?"
"Zander, can you quit thinking about your bloody stomach for one second?"
"Is it my fault I have a fast metabolism?"
"Whatever! Just shut your gob."
"Anyway, he was carrying her to the Infirmary - "
"That's so romantic! Or it would be if it were true!"
"I am so not lying! Why would I?"
"Do I have to remind you, your sister was in Slytherin? Hell, she dated that bleedin' traitor Malfoy - "
"Don't you dare say anything bad about Pansy, Zander Sedley!"
"Yeah, yeah."
"Well, she must have been ill, at any rate - she wasn't awake."
"He probably poisoned her," the boy called Ashley mumbled again.
"Wouldn't put it past the greasy git," agreed the other boy.
'Ten points from Gryffindor for insulting a teacher', Severus thought sourly, immediately making a mental note.
"He did not poison her - honestly, she has some kind of recurring illness, is what I heard - caught something from a Nundu - "
"A Nundu? Sweet Christmas!"
"See? There's no romance going on there - he was just being a typical teacher! Helping out one of his own, as it were."
"Jakoby, you've been here almost seven years - it's time to wake up and smell the Dungbombs, sweet. Snape wouldn't lift a finger to help his own Mum! Something weird is going on. Maybe he's possessed..."
*********************
Severus rolled his eyes at the ridiculous notion. Sedley really ought to be more careful about his words in the future - he'd be losing a veritable load of points for Gryffindor if he didn't.
He was wondering where the hell Ginny was - and if she was often in the habit of allowing her students free reign over their unwise tongues during class.
Furious, he moved forward.
"My, my - you four certainly do have an imagination," he drawled silkily as he made a sudden appearance in the doorway.
The entire class gasped as he stepped inside and speared the four seated near the door with a frigid glare.
The Parkinson girl went white as a sheet, and swallowed audibly.
"Detention, and twenty points from each of your Houses, for spreading gossip - and another ten from you, Sedley. I believe you know why." Severus announced coldly with no small amount of triumph in his voice.
"That's not fair," growled Primmer, making the girl sitting next to him wince. "You can't take points off in Professor Weasley's classroom."
Severus stalked forward in an intimidating manner, and placed his palms flat on the desk as he leaned down to look fiercely at the narrow eyed boy.
The boy unsurprisingly stared back at him defiantly.
"You've just earned another detention for the four of you then, Primmer - and since you are so blatantly disrespecting my authority, you can serve yours with Filch."
The three teens surrounding him exchanged panicked looks.
"Sedley, Parkinson and Barr - you may see Professor Weasley about yours." Severus straightened slowly, and allowed a small smirk to come to his lips as he stared down at the Primmer boy.
"I suggest you all seriously reconsider the wiseness of your actions the next time you set about defaming the character of a teacher - particularly one who, for whatever reason, sees fit to perceive the lot of you as being her 'friends," he said with distaste. "However it is of my opinion that you've been treated with far too light a hand." He rested an icy glare on the Hufflepuff, who went scarlet red in the cheeks and guiltily dropped her eyes.
"Now, until Professor Weasley makes her appearance, open your texts to the chapter you are currently on and read, if by some small miracle you can bring yourselves to manage it. I'll expect you each to have two feet on it ready to turn in to her by the end of class."
A collective groan sounded as he at last exited, but his mind was too preoccupied with getting to his class and setting up another writing assignment so he could visit the Infirmary and see what the hell was going on with Ginny.
*****************
"I'm afraid she won't be on her feet for a few days, Professor Dumbledore,"
Severus entered the Infirmary upon hearing this, and swiftly made his way over to the bed Ginny occupied.
"Hello, Severus," Albus greeted him quietly, his eyes solemn.
"Albus." His eyes swept over the still, feverish form in the bed before him, and he made himself look away.
He felt like a bastard, after the way he'd left her the night before. He'd slept very little, researching the ingredients he'd need for her potion, and alternating between cursing her existence and the nagging worry he felt.
"Professor Weasley's class is becoming a bit undisciplined in her absence, I hear."
Severus tried not to look surprised at the headmasters comment - he shouldn't be, really. Albus always seemed to know everything nearly before it even came to pass.
"Clearly - they've obviously been dealt with too leniently. I've given them a bit of a task. I believe it shall keep them out of trouble for a small matter of minutes."
"I see." Albus clasped his hands, and looked down over his glasses at the girl in the bed.
"You still doubt Miss Weasley's ability to function as a teacher, then?"
Severus looked at Ginny's flushed, freckled cheeks, and crossed his arms. "I doubt her ability to discipline her students properly."
"Yes, yes, of course." Albus paused and looked back up at him. "I've already spoken with her, earlier, about the other evening., I'm sure you'll be pleased to learn."
He forced himself to meet the older man's eyes steadily.
"You understand, Severus, there is certainly no rule against teachers seeing each other after school hours - but I might warn you to use a bit more discretion."
Angry enough to breathe fire, Severus answered only with a short nod. He didn't trust himself enough to dare open his mouth.
"Well, Madam Pomfrey has also informed me of your intention to brew an anti - malarial potion for Ginny?"
Another nod.
"Very well. I'll leave you to it, then. I believe there are some students in need of teaching." Albus winked, and left.
Severus looked down at Ginny unwillingly, cursing himself for having left her the night before with such haste. She'd obviously been more ill than she'd let on.
She shifted slightly in the bed, and mumbled something that sounded like, 'Harry'.
He abruptly turned his back on her as his anger flared, and headed immediately for his classes, wishing he had a drink in hand. Or rather, several.
*************************
To Be Continued.
*****************************
Disclaimer: Not mine, blah, blah, blah.
*****************************
Well, the girl obviously wasn't waking up.
Severus slowly paced at the end of Ginny's bed, sending her inert form a glare every now and then for good measure, even though it did nothing, seeing as she was asleep.
He paused after a few minutes, and sighed angrily, dropping his head against his palm.
Why did she have to be so bloody bothersome? At every turn, it one thing or another, some new inconvenience, some new nuisance with her.
Hell, if it had the name Potter or Weasley even scarcely connected with it, it had the word 'migraine' written all over it.Severus passed his hand over his eyes, and very warily turned his head to focus on the said troublesome occupant of the huge four poster bed.
Unfortunately, this particular, piercing headache had the hair and face of an angel, and was in possession of a disturbingly shapely body that would doubtlessly haunt him for the rest of his days.
Severus tapped his fingertips absently against his jaw, and then raised them to rake several black strands of hair behind his ear.
Why was he feeling so guilty?
He clenched his teeth, and impatiently swept the trailing ends of his robes from his path before making good his retreat.
He would warn Poppy of the girl's condition and return to his rooms for a small measure of peace before the chaos of the coming days.
**********************
The next morning Severus rose thoroughly unrested from his bed, and for the first time in his life, nearly late for class.
The mirror in his private bathroom snickered appropriately at his rumpled appearance, and he scowled at his reflection.
There were dark circles under his eyes attesting to the fact he had not slept well - he'd been thinking about Ginny, about her condition, and working and reworking measurements in his head for the ingredients he would use for her potion.
He dressed with quick, efficient motions, and made his way out of the dungeons, intent on seeing Ginny's condition for himself before the school day started.
Severus was rounding a corner when hushed voices from inside the D.A.D.A. classroom made him stop in his tracks. He narrowed his eyes, and stopped before reaching the door, carefully remaining out of sight as he listened inquisitively.
**********************
"He did what?"
"I swear, it's true - "
"Only yesterday you were harping on about her and Snape snogging - "
Severus felt his hands fist at his sides. It was more than a bit unsettling to hear his name and the word 'snogging' in the same sentence.
"You saw the look she gave us - And I thought women her age were far beyond blushing."
"She's only barely four years older than us, if that - don't talk about her as if she's ancient. Besides, I thought it was charming - "
"Oh, go on, Ashley - I'm so tired of listening to you go on about Professor Weasley! 'I thought it was charming' - get off it, honestly!"
"Shut up, Jakoby," came a boy's husky mumble.
"Really, Jak, you're just jealous - everyone knows you have a fancy for 'Ol Ash here - "
"Quiet before I'm forced to hex you, Zander!"
"Zander, knock it off - "
"So he was carrying her? No, I flat out refuse to believe it - he could have summoned a stretcher, or used a levitation charm."
Severus felt a snarl cross his lips.
So here was the culprit, the one who'd been spreading rumors - only now the girl had the cheek to start distributing out right lies.
"Not if he was in love with her."
He blinked. The girl needed to be muzzled for saying such hideous things.
"Kayla!"
"Ha! Snape in love? Should I die laughing now, or wait until after dinner? What are we having for dessert tonight?"
"Zander, can you quit thinking about your bloody stomach for one second?"
"Is it my fault I have a fast metabolism?"
"Whatever! Just shut your gob."
"Anyway, he was carrying her to the Infirmary - "
"That's so romantic! Or it would be if it were true!"
"I am so not lying! Why would I?"
"Do I have to remind you, your sister was in Slytherin? Hell, she dated that bleedin' traitor Malfoy - "
"Don't you dare say anything bad about Pansy, Zander Sedley!"
"Yeah, yeah."
"Well, she must have been ill, at any rate - she wasn't awake."
"He probably poisoned her," the boy called Ashley mumbled again.
"Wouldn't put it past the greasy git," agreed the other boy.
'Ten points from Gryffindor for insulting a teacher', Severus thought sourly, immediately making a mental note.
"He did not poison her - honestly, she has some kind of recurring illness, is what I heard - caught something from a Nundu - "
"A Nundu? Sweet Christmas!"
"See? There's no romance going on there - he was just being a typical teacher! Helping out one of his own, as it were."
"Jakoby, you've been here almost seven years - it's time to wake up and smell the Dungbombs, sweet. Snape wouldn't lift a finger to help his own Mum! Something weird is going on. Maybe he's possessed..."
*********************
Severus rolled his eyes at the ridiculous notion. Sedley really ought to be more careful about his words in the future - he'd be losing a veritable load of points for Gryffindor if he didn't.
He was wondering where the hell Ginny was - and if she was often in the habit of allowing her students free reign over their unwise tongues during class.
Furious, he moved forward.
"My, my - you four certainly do have an imagination," he drawled silkily as he made a sudden appearance in the doorway.
The entire class gasped as he stepped inside and speared the four seated near the door with a frigid glare.
The Parkinson girl went white as a sheet, and swallowed audibly.
"Detention, and twenty points from each of your Houses, for spreading gossip - and another ten from you, Sedley. I believe you know why." Severus announced coldly with no small amount of triumph in his voice.
"That's not fair," growled Primmer, making the girl sitting next to him wince. "You can't take points off in Professor Weasley's classroom."
Severus stalked forward in an intimidating manner, and placed his palms flat on the desk as he leaned down to look fiercely at the narrow eyed boy.
The boy unsurprisingly stared back at him defiantly.
"You've just earned another detention for the four of you then, Primmer - and since you are so blatantly disrespecting my authority, you can serve yours with Filch."
The three teens surrounding him exchanged panicked looks.
"Sedley, Parkinson and Barr - you may see Professor Weasley about yours." Severus straightened slowly, and allowed a small smirk to come to his lips as he stared down at the Primmer boy.
"I suggest you all seriously reconsider the wiseness of your actions the next time you set about defaming the character of a teacher - particularly one who, for whatever reason, sees fit to perceive the lot of you as being her 'friends," he said with distaste. "However it is of my opinion that you've been treated with far too light a hand." He rested an icy glare on the Hufflepuff, who went scarlet red in the cheeks and guiltily dropped her eyes.
"Now, until Professor Weasley makes her appearance, open your texts to the chapter you are currently on and read, if by some small miracle you can bring yourselves to manage it. I'll expect you each to have two feet on it ready to turn in to her by the end of class."
A collective groan sounded as he at last exited, but his mind was too preoccupied with getting to his class and setting up another writing assignment so he could visit the Infirmary and see what the hell was going on with Ginny.
*****************
"I'm afraid she won't be on her feet for a few days, Professor Dumbledore,"
Severus entered the Infirmary upon hearing this, and swiftly made his way over to the bed Ginny occupied.
"Hello, Severus," Albus greeted him quietly, his eyes solemn.
"Albus." His eyes swept over the still, feverish form in the bed before him, and he made himself look away.
He felt like a bastard, after the way he'd left her the night before. He'd slept very little, researching the ingredients he'd need for her potion, and alternating between cursing her existence and the nagging worry he felt.
"Professor Weasley's class is becoming a bit undisciplined in her absence, I hear."
Severus tried not to look surprised at the headmasters comment - he shouldn't be, really. Albus always seemed to know everything nearly before it even came to pass.
"Clearly - they've obviously been dealt with too leniently. I've given them a bit of a task. I believe it shall keep them out of trouble for a small matter of minutes."
"I see." Albus clasped his hands, and looked down over his glasses at the girl in the bed.
"You still doubt Miss Weasley's ability to function as a teacher, then?"
Severus looked at Ginny's flushed, freckled cheeks, and crossed his arms. "I doubt her ability to discipline her students properly."
"Yes, yes, of course." Albus paused and looked back up at him. "I've already spoken with her, earlier, about the other evening., I'm sure you'll be pleased to learn."
He forced himself to meet the older man's eyes steadily.
"You understand, Severus, there is certainly no rule against teachers seeing each other after school hours - but I might warn you to use a bit more discretion."
Angry enough to breathe fire, Severus answered only with a short nod. He didn't trust himself enough to dare open his mouth.
"Well, Madam Pomfrey has also informed me of your intention to brew an anti - malarial potion for Ginny?"
Another nod.
"Very well. I'll leave you to it, then. I believe there are some students in need of teaching." Albus winked, and left.
Severus looked down at Ginny unwillingly, cursing himself for having left her the night before with such haste. She'd obviously been more ill than she'd let on.
She shifted slightly in the bed, and mumbled something that sounded like, 'Harry'.
He abruptly turned his back on her as his anger flared, and headed immediately for his classes, wishing he had a drink in hand. Or rather, several.
*************************
To Be Continued.