Chap 7 Hogsmeade

That weekend everyone gathered in the common room, enthusiastically waiting for their trip to Hogsmeade. Harry and Ron were making plans to hit Zonko's and Honeyduke's while Hermione and some of the girls were planning to make the rounds of the clothing stores to see what the latest styles would be. They were all looking forward to the Holiday Ball this year, and Fred and George had promised Ginny a new dress if she promised not to tell their mother what they had been up to.

As the students entered the carriages that would take them to Hogsmeade, Severus Snape went to meet Cat MacLeod in the teachers lounge. He stopped in front of the door, taking deep breathes and trying not to smile too much. He was hoping that she would be willing to respond to the note he sent, curse Lupin for making her open it in front of everyone, luckily she had the presence of mind to close it before anyone else could read it. That was one of the things he admired most about her, she was intelligent. Still he didn't agree with the way she tried to hide it on most occasions, a quick mind was something to be proud of. Yet he did understand to some extent, being smart singled you out for many things, some of them less than desirable, others, downright painful.

Opening the door quietly, he entered, it appeared she was the only one here, most of the other teachers were either getting the students on carriages, or leaving themselves. He watched her for a few moments, she was reading again, Latin no doubt. It was amazing how little she had changed, her skin was just as fair and flawless as it had been all those years ago. Her hair was still done up in the "teacher's knot" as she referred to it, he wondered if it was still as long and as soft as when he first touched it all those years ago. Suddenly he began to feel guilty standing there watching her read. "Are you ready, Miss MacLeod" he said softly, she seemed a bit startled at first, but quickly smiled at him. Until this past week, he never realized how much he had missed her smile.

"I was beginning to think you forgot about me." MacLeod said teasingly "Or maybe you had a better offer."

"Nonsense. And what exactly had you so absorbed? "Pseudodraconae: mortis psyche" Assisting Hagrid are you."

"Someone needs to keep them under control" MacLeod explained "and lets face it, sweet as Hagrid is, he doesn't have it in him if those Drakes go wild. I want to be prepared."

"Sweet,... well I suppose that is one way of explaining it." Snape said coldly.

"Honestly Severus. Cruelty is very unbecoming to you." MacLeod chided "And its certainly not how I remember you."

"Should I ask how you remember me?" Severus asked sulkily, "Or would that ruin our afternoon?"

"Actually Severus," Cat responded, lowering her head. " I always seem to remember you as the boy with the sad smile and kind eyes."

Snape couldn't help but smile, it appears she remembered him as fondly as he remembered her. Trying not to blush he helped her with her cloak and suggested they leave immediately. Pulling a small wooden box out from within his robes he looked at her expectantly.

"Portable port key?" she asked. Severus gave her a wry smile and nodded as he opened the box. "Well, that explains an awful lot doesn't it. I've been wondering how you get everywhere so fast." touching the inside of the box they were transported in seconds.

They arrived at Hogsmeade just outside of the Three Broomsticks. Luckily they had gotten there before the students started arriving so they had no trouble finding a table. Severus had just returned with 2 glasses of butterbeer as the students began piling in. "So Sev, potion master of Hogwarts" began MacLeod "not bad, but I must admit, I never really pictured you as the teacher type. Certainly nothing like Professor Moran."

"I take that as a compliment" replied Snape raising his glass toward his companion.

"Good. It was meant as one. But honestly, I always thought you would end up working for the Ministry or something. Don't take this the wrong way, but teaching just seems, ...not beneath you," MacLeod continued frustrated " oohh I can't find the word I'm looking for.."

"What, too many languages to pick from?" purred Severus.

"You can be a real smart a sometimes Severus Snape. You do know that, right? But I'm willing to continue this conversation in any language you choose." MacLeod continued, a challenge in her tone. "Let's see we've done Latin, French, German, Hebrew,....I know" as she snapped her fingers "what about my native tongue, Gaelic."

Severus shot her a look of mock anger.

"Come now Sev, all these years and you've never bothered to learn," teased MacLeod "I thought you would want to know what it was I've been saying under my breath all this time."

"I do not need to know the language, to understand what you say. Thank you. Besides you know as well as I do that the Knowledge of the Celts have been forbidden for years." he finished abruptly.

"O yes, another brilliant decision by the MoM. I swear someone must have cast the curse of idiocy on the entire lot of them." she responded, the disgust in her voice evident.

Bending his head closer to MacLeod's "You know very well there was a good reason for that." Snape answered with an edge in his voice.

"No I don't know that." Cat responded angrily "Tell me honestly, Severus. Am I that horrible? Am I so terrifying that they can't even stand the sound of my language, my heritage?" she finished. He could see the tears welling up in her eyes.

"Of course you are not." he answered softly, taking her hand in his "but you know what could happen if someone who didn't have your.....temperament, used the power of that knowledge."

Trying to find some way of changing the topic, without upsetting her even more. Severus noticed Remus Lupin standing near the door, looking rather depressed. "I think one of your old friends is here." nodding towards Lupin.

"Poor Remus, it looks like he's feeling about as good as I am right now." Cat stood up and waved Remus over to their table. "What's wrong?" she asked as she touched his cheek "Past haunting you again, acushla?" Snape's face grew very icy at the sight of Catri and Remus together.

"Just old memories, that's all Kitty. Nothing to worry about" said Remus trying to assure his friend, but his sad eyes and melancholy smile told a different story. He was remembering his past, both the good and the bad. Bittersweet he thought. The brightest of dreams and the darkest of nightmares. "Some ghosts never leave I'm afraid." He could see she understood, the two of them never really needed words to understand the other. It had been like that since the first day he met her in Dumbledore's office. Still he did want to speak with her, but looking over at Snape he knew this was not the right time. In fact he had the distinct feeling that his next dose of wolfsbane potion might have a little extra kick in it if he didn't leave very soon.

"Besides I believe Severus brought you here to show you the sights. You should hurry up if you want to see it in daylight" he added, winking playfully at her and laughing when she shot him 'the look'. Severus, sensing his opportunity suggested that they should in fact leave, especially as the pub was becoming quite crowded.