Chapter 7: Reminisces II
"If you will kindly excuse me I have a class to teach." said McGonagall as she picked up her books and made to leave. " It really is a pleasure to have you here" she said, turning to Myra who smiled back.
In the background, Severus snorted softly. "Depends on how you define 'pleasure'" he thought to himself.
As the door closed behind Minerva, Dumbledore cleared his throat. " If the three of you would kindly accompany me to my office.." He said indicating Severus, Myra and Moody. " I'd like you to meet a few people."
Severus decided he didn't like the sound of this proposal at all, but nevertheless resignedly murmured in assent. Correction, grunted would be more appropriate.
" What's the matter? Lost your infamous vocabulary eh?" Moody sneered at Severus who sneered right back as they exited the staffroom.
" Well, his facial expressions are still what they used to be." Myra said slyly.
Dumbledore quickly grabbed hold of Moody's arm and the pair walked a short way ahead of Myra and Severus, talking quietly.
" So, you haven't changed much have you? How's Hogwarts suiting you?" she said to him trying to make conversation as she fell in step with him. Pleasant for once.
" Fine" he said shortly. She shrugged her shoulders, miffed at the fact that he was deliberately trying to ignore her. However she didn't fail to notice the frightened looks that appeared on the faces of the students they passed by. No doubt Severus was glaring at them for some reason known only to him. He had a knack for finding something offensive in nearly everything as she had learned a long time ago. Pleasing Severus Snape was nothing short of impossible.
They followed Dumbledore in an uneasy silence.
She sat in Dumbledore's office next to a very severely unhappy Severus. Not surprising considering that seated across the room were three of his most despised people. She was sure that the list ran on for quite a bit.
She still couldn't believe it . Sirius was back. The whole tale had been recited to her by Lupin , who was also present, an hour ago, including Severus's part, elaborated by Black himself. Obviously he hadn't forgiven Severus. She now listened as they discussed possible tactics to counter the Dark Lord's maneouvres.
"You've resumed your previous duties?" she asked Severus quietly. He nodded in reply, his mouth a thin line. In her opinion he was showing remarkable self-restraint. Seeing the mood he was in and not wanting to upset him lest he have one of his almost infantile outbursts, she decided not to press him further.
She had been quite used to his tirades. He had yelled at her a number of times during the few years they had known each other and she had yelled right back. She was certainly not one to be intimidated easily. She had come to know him quite well despite his fiercely private nature that bordered on paranoia in her opinion. It was because of the long hours they had been forced to spend in each others company.
She had been his contact to the Ministry. He would visit her place regularly with information about Death-eater raids. He usually stayed for dinner; sometimes even spent the nights at her place. He had never been suspected of treachery by the Dark lord, as she was then a rising celebrity, a pretty young thing who was famous for her unusual tastes. She had never even been remotely connected with Dumbledore or anyone from the Ministry as far as the wizarding world was concerned so they did not raise any suspicions. His fellow death-eaters probably thought that they were 'romantically involved'. She involuntarily snorted at the idea. The actual situation was far from it.
It wasn't as though they weren't usually on speaking terms, but it had been difficult in the beginning for both to adjust to the situation they found themselves in, what with their volatile tempers and all. They had learnt to trust each other gradually, they had had no other choice. She realized soon enough that his frequent tantrums were an outlet to his pent up frustrations. Being a spy wasn't easy on the nerves. But she only realized the true extent of the danger he had placed himself in when he had shown up at her place one night badly bruised and battered. -
It was one in the morning. She sat up in bed, rubbing her eyes groggily. She had returned from a particularly strenuous dance rehearsal only a couple of hours ago and had crashed into bed without bothering about dinner. She had just managed to change into her night shirt before she 'blacked out'.
Now she had suddenly been awakened by the sounds of someone pounding at her door. At first she didn't realize what the sound was; then, quick as a flash she jumped out of bed, wand in hand and proceeded downstairs, hoping it wouldn't be some crazed fan. Not that she wasn't capable of protecting herself.
Cautiously, she looked out through the peep-hole and nearly fell down backwards with a startled exclamation. It was Severus. "What's he doing here at this time? He usually shows up around eleven at the latest. And why is he making such a racket. He'll wake the neighbours up!" she thought as she frantically strived to undo the bolts.
Finally she pulled the door open and Severus staggered in. The thought that he might be drunk crossed her mind. "Dear Lord!" she whispered quietly and turned on the lights.
Immediately Severus covered his face with his arm saying, "Turn it off you stupid girl!"
She quickly did as she was told and they stood facing each other in the semi darkness for a minute in awkward, in her case shocked, silence. She had seen enough to know he was much worse than drunk. Severus was usually immaculately dressed but today his robes were soiled with mud; and possibly blood. His face was blooming with fresh scars and he was drawing breath raggedly. It was only when he swayed and stumbled cursing, as he tried to make his way to the couch that she rushed to his aid, her mind reeling.
"Who did it? Aurors?" she asked breathlessly as she helped him to the couch. She herself sat down in front of him on the floor, staring up into the little she could see of his bruised face.
"No. Those fools couldn't get me if I hopped one legged" She knew it was true. He was especially devilish when it came to sneaking out of dangerous situations. "but then..?" she asked, confusion evident on her face.
"You think the Dark Lord is soft when it comes to his own followers? I failed to bring him what he wanted so.." He coughed and fell silent.
She noticed his hands twitching, his normally erect frame bent almost double as he sat. Then it dawned on her. He had just been subjected to the Cruciatus curse. She sat in dumbfounded silence digesting this piece of information. If the Dark Lord didn't even spare his own followers..what would he be like to his opponents? She shuddered at the thought. And to think, he was forced to obey such a relentlessly cruel master; her eyes focused again on the figure in front of her. How did his pride stand it?
She was jerked out of her reverie by the sound of his voice. "I've never found you staring at me like that before. I'm sure my looks have not improved that much," he was saying. She immediately lowered her gaze. " And I know you're not overly fond of me but would you kindly help me clean up?"
She quickly got up to get a cloth to wipe the blood off his face. Once she gave him everything he needed he tried to wave her off and heal his wounds by himself. She stood back to watch with her arms folded till he finally gave up and slumped into the couch with his head in his hands. He suddenly looked up at her and said, "Alright you win. Now get on with it."
"I don't think bossing me around at present is a great idea" she said as she walked over to sit by him on the couch and poked one of his scars with her wand. It healed instantly but not before he grimaced at the sharp pain.
When she was done she smiled at him as she said, "Feel better now?" She was rewarded with a scowl. "Well atleast you're back to your usual pleasant self." He glared at her. "Sev do you ever lighten up?" she asked now exasperated. " Honestly you drive me up the wall with your attitude..." "Sev?" he said incredulously. She ignored him and continued with her rant. "...you're a threat to my sanity" she finished.
"Sanity? Yours? I don't think anybody who dares to give me a nickname is sane." He said eyebrows raised .
"Watch that tongue of yours or you won't get any dinner" she told him, marching off to the kitchen. She had suddenly realized she was ravishingly hungry. "Sev" she added cheekily and laughed.
...
Since that incident she had always used the nickname to torment him and drive him up the wall. She insisted that way people would believe they really were 'involved'. He didn't buy the excuse for a second.
They didn't talk about their 'situation' (Severus was still adamant in his views that she was a silly girl who didn't know what she had gotten herself into so didn't think it worth his while to divulge information to her; an attitude which she found extremely annoying) Till the day he found out that she secretly took part in Auror counter attacks. Ofcourse even among the aurors, only a select few knew her true identity.
The day he found out, he outlined for her in detail and with startling clarity exactly what sort of danger they were in. That day had been a turning point in their working relationship. It was the day he finally accepted that she had a brain and possessed a certain amount of intellect. From then on their pointless arguments turned into productive debates; though Severus relished every opportunity to shoot her down.
She had to admit though that the two years spent in his company were fruitful. She learned a great deal from him; eventually she learnt that he too was a Luna. The evenings spent discussing all things potions were the only relief the both of them found from the stressful reality of their precarious situation. Ever since the incident both lived in fear of discovery of their treachery.
She was startled by the sound of Severus's voice very close to her ears. "Reminiscing?" he asked with a cocked eyebrow.
She just smiled a small mysterious smile and didn't turn to look at him. It was guaranteed to get him more than a little ruffled. He hated it when somebody didn't give their full attention when he chose to speak, which unfortunately were not always very pleasant occasions.
"You're getting good at it you know. Pretending like you don't give a hoot."
She could just picture the amused look on his face; the quirked eyebrow, the slight smile, the fingers on his chin. " You weren't exactly receptive the last time I tried to start a conversation." she said keeping her gaze fixed straight ahead.
" Alright then, no I don't think I've changed much and Hogwarts would be a lot better with the elimination of a few people." He said glaring at Black and Moody who were still busy talking to each other.
This time she turned to look at him. " I've decided. Severus, I am glad to see you again; though I'd be lot happier if it were under different circumstances."
He narrowed his eyes at her. "Different circumstances? What ever do you mean by that Ms. Blizzard?" he asked raising an eyebrow yet again.
Her eyes widened as she realized what he was insinuating. She lightly slapped his arm and said " You know exactly what I mean. Don't sidetrack."
He just laughed. It was one of his favourite pastimes. Embarrassing her. Twisting the meanings of words. Esp. her words.
" Jerk" she muttered. He chuckled. "Nice to see you too" he offered.
"I'm sure you are, you sadist. You just see me as another poor soul to torture. Another opportunity to exercise that sharp wit of yours."
" Why thank you for the flattering comments."
"You're welcome. As always."