The next chance I had to get to my quaint café was ruined by the most unlikely of people imaginable.
Professor Snape.
I had walked in through the front door, and had stopped to pick up a copy of The Daily Prophet. I heard the bell over the door jingle as I was pausing through the articles, but I was too absorbed to look up. Finally, I tucked the paper under my arm, weaved my way through some tables, and started heading to my usual corner. However, someone was fast approaching my retreat from the other side.
"Professor Snape," I said, surprise showing in my voice. We had come to a stand still in front of my little table. I hoped he wasn't planning on sitting there, but I wasn't about to throw myself into the seat. I like to think I have developed a bit more class than that over the years.
"Miss Granger," he said, inclining his head ever so slightly.
We both paused, and I shifted my weight from one foot to the other.
"How are you?" I finally inquired.
"Quite well, Miss Granger, and yourself?"
"I'm doing well, thank you," I answered.
He clasped his hands behind his back before finally asking, "Do you come here often, or is this just a pleasant coincidence?"
His manner was still one of the cold, stand-offish man I had known all seven years at Hogwarts. The tone of his voice, even now, made my blood run cold and my knees tremble.
"I enjoy coming here quite often, in fact," I replied as levelly as possible.
"By yourself?" he asked, raising an eyebrow.
"As you see."
"Well, as much as I would love to carry on a trite conversation with you, I do have some work to finish."
"It was a pleasure seeing you again, Professor Snape," I said with a bit of sarcasm, as we both turned to leave.
"The pleasure was all mine, Miss Granger," he said smoothly, as we departed each other's company.
I was completely vexed. We were sitting at tables on either side mine, but I couldn't very well get up and look under the napkin holder on the table between us with him being aware of my every move. I was quite certain that even though he appeared engrossed in his work, he was keeping his proverbial eye on me.
After a good half an hour of idly flipping through the newspaper, and sipping a luke-warm cup of coffee, Professor Snape got up, and, throwing an exasperated look in my direction, left the coffee shoppe.
As soon as he was out of sight, I practically dove for the napkin holder. The paper was still tucked away underneath, and with much anticipation I opened up the crinkled, tattered piece of paper.
There was no reply.
Utterly dejected, I sighed, and flopped back against the seat. Had I said something to make this person offended? Or could it be that they hadn't had a chance to come to the café recently?
Whatever the reason, it would have to wait again until next week.
