Chapter Five:
Chloe entered the Potions classroom at eight o'clock on the dot that evening. She pushed open the heavy oak doors, and stood waiting for instructions from the not-present Potions Master.
Figures he'd be late for his own bloody detention.
"Miss Tanner."
Chloe whipped around to face an open doorway, holding a very irritated Severus Snape. He stalked into the dark room, brushing past her and seating himself at his desk before speaking again.
"Your blatant show of disrespect has lost your House fifty points. Not a good way to gain the admiration and information of your peers."
"I don't know…I seemed to have gained 'admiration' from Mr. Malfoy. I can't believe I am a twenty-five year old undercover agent and I still have to serve detentions."
"If you wouldn't have--"
"Complimented you?" Chloe interrupted.
"Patronized me." Snape hissed.
"It wasn't patronizing. Just stating what o many love struck students are to afraid to say." Chloe purred with an impish grin.
"Don't be thick." Snape snapped.
"Wasn't being thick--" Chloe started to object.
"Where are you from?" Snape blurted.
"Pardon?"
"I've never met an American who slips into Irish and British slang." Snape said, trying to act indifferent.
"My mother is Irish. I lived there for fifteen years before we moved to America. My accent mellowed from being in a school with American teenagers, but when I am upset or angry it comes back full-force."
"I see."
"Sir? My detention?" Chloe asked hesitantly.
"Apparently I cannot actually punish you. Albus wishes for me to use your 'detentions', since we assume you will be receiving many, to give you background information on you fellow Housemates." Severus explained.
"Shoot." Chloe sat at a desk in the front row and propped her feet up.
"Pardon?"
"An American expression. It means tell all."
"I see. Draco Malfoy is your first victim, I presume?" Severus raised an eyebrow.
"He was the first moth to the proverbial flame, if you will. He seems very eager to 'get to know me' so to speak." Chloe said dryly.
"He would be. Watch out for him, he's the son of a very rich bastard, which makes him think he is above the rest of us. He will try to take advantage of you."
"Great. A pervert. This job has its perks, I guess."
"Also, Crabbe and Goyle are his right and left hand men. They will always be around to protect their leader." Snape said.
"Gotcha." Chloe muttered.
"Pansy Parkinson is in love with Draco Malfoy. She can be a vindictive little wench, so try not to appear to fond of him, or she'll be out for blood."
"Don't get on the Parkinson cow's Shit List, Check." Chloe nodded uninterestedly.
"I believe that is all."
"My detention is over?" Chloe asked hopefully.
"Far from it. I can't let you leave early, do you have any other questions?"
"Nope."
"Then I suppose you should complete some of your homework." Snape started to ruffle through papers on his desk.
"Nope."
"Excuse me?" Snape looked up and raised an eyebrow.
"No homework, it wouldn't work for my 'I don't give a shit' image." Chloe explained gleefully.
"I see. Perhaps you should rethink your attire, Miss Tanner."
"Chloe, for you. And why is that?" Chloe grinned.
"Because Draco Malfoy was in danger of having his eyes gouged out this morning."
"By who?" Chloe asked curiously.
"Me. I don't appreciate my students not paying attention in class."
"Why Sev, are you jealous?"
"My name is Severus and I have no reason to be jealous of a hormonal teenager."
"I am not a 'hormonal teenager', Severus. I am an adult." Chloe hissed.
"And Mr. Malfoy is a hormonal teenager who could not handle a woman like yourself. Dismissed."
Chloe watched Snape get up and leave the room without a backwards glance in her direction. She silently pondered his last statement.
A woman like myself? Was that a hidden compliment from the depressing Potions Master? Nah! But, I definitely wasn't patronizing him. Truthful Am I. He does look pretty good for an antisocial dungeon crawler. I wonder if he's nocturnal…Oh, shit…curfew!
Chloe ran out of the classroom all the way to the statue of Phoebe. She muttered the password through heavy breathing and stumbled into her bedroom, collapsing onto her bed and ignoring the faintly glowing fireplace.
"Go away."
"Your mother sends her best, and Happy early Birthday." Her father's face disappeared from the fire and a small package shot out to her.
"Thanks, daddy." Chloe whispered, setting the package on her bedside table and drifting to sleep.