Chapter 4
By Corgi
Morning, for a change, didn't come early enough for Severus. Once he
showered, dressed, and ate breakfast he headed out to the general store
in the village. He needed to pick up a few things that Albus didn't get
for him. He perused the spices on the shelf of the store wrinkling his
nose in disgust. How Muggles didn't poison themselves with the additives
he'd never know. Just as he was making his way to the dairy section he
heard a familiar high pitched cackle. Ah, Harry's little airhead has arrived.
Severus quickly gathered milk, eggs and cheese and headed to the front
of the store for the bread. He watched out of the corner of his eye what
the girl was purchasing and saw her head towards the candy section of the
store. He slowly made his way to where she was and noted the selections
she made. None of the things she chose were things he knew Harry preferred,
which made his plans that much easier.
Once she left the rack he picked up all the same sweets she did, especially
the annoying gum she seemed to favor. He needed samples to show the Weasley
twins when he got there. He got in line behind the little twit and waited
patiently while the old lady at the head of the line drove the poor cashier
crazy. Jaina looked over her shoulder and gave him a vapid smile before
opening her mouth.
"Hi, Severus! How are you this morning?"
"Very well, thank you. How are you?" Jaws throughout Hogwarts would
be hitting the floor if they heard polite conversation coming from his
mouth.
"Wonderful! We're having a little get together tonight at our cabin;
would you like to join us?"
"Certainly, is there anything I can bring?"
"Just bring yourself! We already have everything else! We'll see you
at 7 p.m., okay?"
"I'll be there."
Severus watched as the cashier rang up first Jaina's then his orders.
He paid and quickly set off towards his cabin. His long strides allowed
him to catch up to the girl and her friends. He decided to listen to their
conversation and automatically went into stealth mode. Despite the war's
end he still kept up with those skills he learned during his years as a
spy. They still came in handy, like now.
"Why are you still with Harry, Jaina? I thought you said he was horrible
in bed?" Emily asked with no shame what so ever about prying into private
business.
"He's loaded! I mean, he's got this cabin here and a house in Wales.
You should see this platinum necklace he wears! It's got emeralds and a
whole lot of other stuff! I've been trying to get him to give it to me
for ages now. He refuses to take it off."
"Oh, we wondered why you were still with him. That's as good a reason
as any." Another of the pack of girls said while the rest tittered.
Severus growled under his breath. He quickly moved away from the pack
before he whipped out his wand and hexed the lot. Anger filled his being
as he strode into the cabin and put the perishables in the ice box. Picking
up his robe and the candy he purchased he walked to the fireplace and lit
the wood stacked in it with a quick movement of his wand. Grabbing a handful
of floo powder he shouted 'Leaky Cauldron' before stepping into the flames.
A quick cleaning spell took care of the soot he acquired during the trip
and he strode through the bar to the alley behind the dreary place. Tapping
the appropriate brick he made his way down Diagon Alley without looking
left or right.
As he made his way straight to the Weasley twin's store front he growled
and snarled under his breath. The stormy expression on his face as he made
his way down the street made people dive out of his way. 'How dare that
bint use Harry like that! To think she was trying to get something he gave
Harry. She'll pay, the little gold-digger. She'll pay alright; even if
Harry doesn't take him back he'll make sure that little twit hits the road.'
Severus was so lost in his thoughts and anger he almost walked past the
store. Looking through the window he saw George Weasley stocking items
on the shelves. He entered the store and smirked at the surprised look
on Weasley's face.
"Hello, Professor Snape. What brings you to our humble establishment?"
The younger man asked with a bow.
"I was wondering what you two have cooked up that would resemble these
items." Severus laid out the candies he picked up back at the cabin on
the counter and let George examine them closely.
"Hmm, we don't have anything already set up like this but we can make
some up in a couple of hours. Does this have anything to do with that little
bimbo Harry's seeing?"
"What makes you think this has anything to do with Potter?"
"Come on Professor, we're practically his family! We know what happened
and we don't like that girl that hangs all over him. Besides all these
are her favourites."
"Really?" Severus hid his surprise quite well and looked up when the
other twin came down the stairs.
"Hello Professor, it's nice to see you again!" Fred Weasley shouted
as he bounced down the stairs, loaded up with boxes.
"The Professor here has need of our services." George told his brother.
"Really? I think the world has ended, dear brother."
"No it hasn't. Professor Snape has taken a dislike to Harry's little
bit of fluff."
"Fantastic! But why Professor?" Fred couldn't hide his curiosity.
Severus then proceeded to tell the twins the conversation he overheard
early that morning. Both boys were as steamed as their former professor
and loudly proclaimed that they'd help free of charge. Of course they did
need a guinea pig for their newer gags. Before they could continue plotting
against the gum chewing girl they were interrupted by a flying handbag
colliding with the back of Severus' head, firmly grasped by Molly Weasley.
Severus was so surprised at the attack and the verbal barrage that followed,
that he couldn't even grab his wand to defend himself. He was backed into
a corner and then buried in a landslide of words. The Weasley matriarch
yelled loud and fast so that her words jumbled together. All Severus could
figure out was that she was mad at him for breaking it off with Harry and
allowing that horrid girl to latch on to him. To say Severus was surprised
at the acceptance of his former relationship with Harry would have been
an understatement. Eventually the twins managed to pry their mother off
of Severus and then explain to her what Severus had told them earlier.
Upset with the new details on Harry she wished Severus luck, told the boys
they were invited to Harry's for dinner and then floo'd back home.
"Now I know why you lot never crossed your mother too frequently." Severus
still was stunned by the onslaught and the sudden shift in gears the older
woman had.
"Yep, it doesn't do to rile mum up too much," the twins chanted in unison.
"We'll come to the party at Harry's," said Fred.
"And we'll play scapegoat when the pranks kick in," continued George.
"Harry will never suspect you," Fred added.
"Despite your history with the Marauders," concluded George.
"I still find that annoying, but I do appreciate the help."
"You're very welcome, Professor. We'll get started on the pranks and
we'll bring them along. We'll meet you at the Headmaster's cabin."
"Thanks Messrs Weasley. I'll see you tonight at 6:30."
Severus shook hands with the boys and used their floo to return to the cabin. He grabbed one of the poles from the cupboard, the bait from the porch and made his way down to the lake. An evil smirk was on his face as he tried to imagine what the twins had in store for the foolish girl.
~tbc~