Chapter Fourteen--Bats in the Ballroom
They landed at Hogwarts with, just like Severus said, with time to spare. She wished he'd have lied.
Snape hurried off to find Dumbledore and Georgie considered drowning in the lake. But she thought the giant Squid might been annoyed by her presence down there.
Sighing in resignation she stalked off to the bathroom. The twins flagged her down before she reached there and pressed her for where she'd gone--they'd looked everywhere for her. She just explained that she took off for a friend's house last-night and just returned from there this moment. Everyone was milling around the Common Room, some already wearing their dress robes, as envious younger students glared on.
She'd give her place to any of them if she could. She re-washed her hair and tied it back into a ponytail. Good enough, she grunted at the reflection in the mirror. Snape was sitting on the couch when she returned but Georgie breezed by him only asking him if he'd gotten the Firebomb, and he assured her he had. She had a couple dress robes she had to choose from and she threw the wardrobe door open violently. Snape heard it in the other room, and wondered what she was getting up to.
She took them all out and threw them on the bed. She had green, red, burgundy, black, gray, and deep blue. She scratched her head as she debated between them. Green and red were too Christmas-ey. And as there was to be a Christmas ball later, she'd leave those for then. Black looked too mournful, or gothic. Personally she liked the gray and the deep blue.
She strode over to her bedroom door and flung her head out, "Grey or blue?"
Severus turned around. "Gray or blue what?"
"Just gray or blue."
"I suppose gray." She thanked him, then ducked back inside. Figures.
But she put the gray on. It was Halloween and it was the closest to black she was going to get to tonight. She opened the bottom section of her wardrobe and sat before it on her knees. Her shoes were all contained down there. She reached in and started throwing shoes out over her shoulder once she determined that they wouldn't work, some of them hit the bed and landed on the floor with a thump while others flew into the walls. Georgie was muttering to herself, like a madwoman.
Severus, frowned as he heard her talking to herself, then hearing loud thumps. He hoped she wasn't beating herself up to get out of the dance. He laughed at the image. Gradually the noises subsided, and Severus returned to his book in hand.
She picked through her jewelry. She was looking for the enchanted necklace and bracelet she'd bought with Minerva before school had even started. She found them both and slipped them both on. She couldn't really remember what they were enchanted to do, but figured if it were something interesting she'd have hints to it by the end of the evening. Maybe it made her a sort of Dancing Queen.... She stepped into her flats and hopped over in front of the mirror. She let down her hair and quickly twisted it up into a full bun, with a few stray ringlets down the back. Kinda cute, she winked at her mirror self. Boring, but cute.
She burst through the door and stood at the end of the couch, adjusting her sleeves and frowning at a scuff on her shoes. "Ready?" She asked Severus.
He stood up and moved past her to put his book on the bookshelf by the door.
"Ready." He called to her and she looked up and took a step towards him, muttering and complaining. But she took only that one step before stopping all progress. She stared wide-eyed at Severus "Oh my gawd." She exclaimed as her mouth fell and stayed open. He was sitting there like this the entire time?!
He had a fabulous black robe on, not at all like his usual high-neck ones. And his hair was pulled back into a small braid. But it wasn't just that, he looked...healthier. Not so dead white, but slightly ruddy. He squirmed under her scrutiny though, not recognizing it for praise, but rather for horror.
"What? Is it that bad?" He held up his arms and tried to look at his back, while spinning in circles.
"Bad?" She asked incredulously as she moved to stand before him. "No. I'm just wondering how I could have missed you. You look nice." She gushed.
His face blanched, "Perhaps I'll change then..." His hand went up to his hair.
She slapped his hands. "Like hell you will. You don't realize how good you look? You're a regular hottie!" She grabbed him by the arm and led him back until he was standing in front of her mirror. "You're gonna break some hearts tonight!" She teased, then pulled him back towards the exit knowing full well she was pumping his ego up bigger than it already was. At least when he knew himself to be physically unattractive, he could only gloat about intellect. Here she was handing him ammunition for his mind-cannon.
The Slytherins were already at the feast thank goodness or Snape's legs dragging might have hindered their progress even more.
Severus protested right up to the doors of the Great Hall. Georgie hissed naughtily, "Come on. It'll be fun. You deserve to turn some heads and kick a little ass." And with that she pushed the doors wide open and dragged him inside after her.
Georgie out-paced him as she made a beeline for the high table leaving Severus mercilessly to the eyes of everyone on the school. He collected his wits about him and strode purposefully forward stony-faced. Neighbor elbowed neighbor to turn around and see as he passed by. A hum of whispering swept through the Hall. Snape had to admit he enjoyed the attention somewhat.
He almost forgot to sneer until he reached the teachers. Quite a few of them had similar wide-mouthed expressions on their faces as well. Only Dumbledore smiled his quiet smile and Georgie looked about to bust up in raucous laughter. He passed behind her and she smiled wickedly at him, winking. He seated himself next to Dumbledore who commented offhandedly on his fine choice in robes tonight. Severus' face paled as he felt all the eyes on him, not out of their usual fear or loathing, but their feeling something altogether different towards him. He was disgusted at how fickle people could be--wear a different robe and suddenly they saw you in a different light.
The feast started presently and Snape ate with great relish. Georgie at the other end of the table was joking with Binns and Hagrid and Lupin about the bats fluttering around beneath the ceiling. Binns suggested that Snape might attempt to join them, they all snickered at that--especially as it came from the dry and boring Ghost Professor.
Binns told her that her outfit was enchanting. Georgie thanked him, and wondered what could be making the man so vocal. Georgie poured herself a glass of juice and reached across to Professor Lupin to snatch a dinner roll. "Happy Halloween," She wished him happily.
"Thank you." He smiled weakly at her. "Happy Halloween to you too. And might I say that that dress is quite becoming on you. You look altogether enchanting tonight." Georgie almost dropped the roll. Praise from Lupin was praise indeed. She thanked him kindly complimenting his new robes also, but also a little confusedly. The twins would kill her when she told them he said that to her.
She finished her food and chewed absently. Dumbledore stood up and the room silenced. It turned out that there was to be a sort of talent showcase for the hour between the feast and the Dance's beginnings and all years were welcome to attend. Georgie scowled. She'd seen the notice posted on the wall telling about the auditions simply ages ago. But she'd thankfully forgotten. Too bad it was all coming back now, she rubbed her forehead.
Hagrid dragged her thoughts back and they chatted for several minutes about the talent entries, Georgie watching as Hagrid nervously tied and undid his tie several times. She wanted to slap his hands down, he was making her nervous as well.
The talent showcase was a complete and utter waste of time, if Georgie could have put it any nicer, she would have. But she didn't feel like it. She was bored to tears. The trio of Gryffindor girls singing some medieval ballad that went on for almost 40 verses. Points for memory work, points off for being tedious. While she sat there she thought up a question to ask Madam Pomfrey for the next lesson, she thought up an entire letter to her mother and she bit off two of her fingernails.
The younger classes were dismissed and everyone stood as Dumbledore swept the tables to the sides of the room with a swish of his wand. Georgie stayed put and watched the nervous lads eyeing the girls, but not advancing towards them. She rolled her eyes. Babies. Music wafted from.... somewhere. She raised her eyes all about the great room but never did find the source.
Hagrid stood up and explained that he was going to ask Minerva to stand up with him. Poor Minerva she giggled. Before he left, Hagrid turned to her and casually mentioned how she looked enchanting this evening and she'd better remember to save him a dance. As soon as he walked away Georgie frowned deeply and stared into space.
She turned when she heard someone sit next to her and beheld Severus. She smiled at him then looked back out over the dance floor.
"Trewlaney won't leave me alone." He remarked sullenly.
"That's because you look fab. Perfectly marvelous." She drawled.
"You know, you look very...." He paused for a minute scrutinizing her.
She held up her hand. "Wait don't say it. We're you going to say 'enchanting' perchance?"
His eyes widened suspiciously "Yes. How did you kn..."He broke off as he watched her rip off her necklace and bracelet and discarded them on the table in front of her.
She turned to him. "I thought they was enchanted. Not that they'd make me appear enchanting." She said miserably.
The corners of his mouth twitched amusedly. "Keep them on then." He suggested.
"Nope. I'd rather I got attention the old-fashioned way. By causing trouble and by earning it without the aid of magic." She looked disgustedly at it.
"Wise enough." He assented.
"Nah. Not wise. Selfish." She grinned at him, before looking back over the dance floor. Siobhan and Niamh were frantically waving at her. Severus pointed them out to her. "It think your fan club wants a word."
They both rushed up to the table and stood beside Snape and talked to Georgie.
"Oh my goodness, Look at Lupin's new robes. Aren't they to-die-for?" Niamh pretended to faint.
Siobhan glanced over her shoulder. "He even looks like he'd like to dance, standing there all by himself looking at the floor. Do you think he'd like to?" She posed.
Snape answered, "I happen to know that he's very fond of dancing. Look and he doesn't have a partner. One of you should ask him to a friendly dance. He won't bite you know." Severus winked at Georgie, and she pretended to gag.
Naimh seemed dead set against it and Siobhan was trying to get enough courage together to ask him. Georgie snatched up the necklace and bracelet and slipped one of them each onto the girls. "Trust me, boys'll notice them." And sitting back down, she threatened." If one of you doesn't ask him I will for you and that'll be beyond embarrassing--I'll assure that." She laughed playfully.
Niamh didn't look convinced. "But he's a professor!" She insisted.
"Yes and he's also a boy. And boys like to dance with girls, so get going or you'll feel my wrath!" She growled as they turned away.
Severus commented. "Your logic astounds me. But you do wonders for those girls." He pointed out into the room first at Siobhan dragging Lupin onto the dance floor and then at Niamh being dragged there by Hagrid.
Georgie sniggered. "Well, getting it right half the time isn't so bad."
Snape turned on her, "What are you talking about those are horrible odds!"
"Not for pairing people up, it isn't." She replied enigmatically, then got to her feet. "Listen, I'm going to steal away for a Diet Coke. I'll be back in a few. If I'm not, send the hounds out." She leapt down and out of the massive doors. He shook his head--she made her Diet Coke breaks sound like going out for a cigarette.
She returned shortly afterwards, sipping her soda while sauntering back to her seat. She didn't see Snape and figured 'good for him he escaped'. But she promised herself she'd put in at least an hour, out of courtesy. She sat and gazed up at the enchanted ceiling. For once it didn't appear to be raining. She sniffed, but just wait--an hour from now it'll be coming down in buckets.
Niamh and Siobhan had switched partners and Siobhan was now kicking up her heels as she tried to twirl Hagrid's massive bulk under their arms. He practically lifted her off the ground in the process, but they jumped about rowdily and seemed to be having a fabulous time. Niamh seemed to be deeply engrossed in a conversation with Lupin and they hardly noticed when the Latin number ended and the modern number began.
"Funny," Georgie muttered under her breath. A voice hissed in her ear, "Severus looks to be having fun." She looked around to see Dumbledore being led onto the floor by Minerva. He turned and winked at her. She hadn't seen Severus when she came in...Finally she spied Severus out. He was on the dance floor. And he was dancing. With Trewlany.
Georgie's hand went to her mouth and her shoulders convulsed in hushed up laughter. Oh, she'd try and rescue him when the song was over, but this was rich. She set her soda down and stood up, smoothing out her robes with her palms. She stepped down off of the raised High Table platform to the edge of the designated dance floor, but didn't approach them. She knew Severus saw her and knew she was supposed to come rescue him, but she decided to wait out the entire long song.
When the song ended she rushed over to Trewlaney's side, grinning broadly, but artificially. Trewlaney stopped in mid-sentence to look at her. "Oh, Hello. I was wondering if I could cut on?" She simpered and grinned syrupy. Trewlaney allowed her to and stepped aside. Georgie continued to grin toothily and widely, which Severus knew she never did. "You did that on purpose," He hissed at her.
"I have no idea what you're talking about." She hissed back through her grinning teeth.
"You can stop now. She can't see you and you're scaring me." Looking around him.
"I think I'm stuck." She said from behind clenched teeth.
"I wish they'd play a good old Reel or something like that--not like any of this modern stuff," Snape said off-handedly. Then a moment later the beginning strains of violin started in on a Reel. Or a jig or something--Georgie wasn't exactly up to date on those sort of dances.
"Holy moley. You're magic." She pointed at him. He grabbed her extended hand.
"Of course. Dance." She felt herself being dragged onto the floor.
"I'm not good at Reels." She admitted wearily. She let Snape guide her about. When he pushed her she went forward, when he pulled her she went backwards. She guessed she didn't look too foolish, and for that she was grateful. Stupid heel to toe rubbish....
"I know you're not good at the Reel." He grinned down at her.
"You're enjoying this. You're sick, you know."
"Oh well too late."
Georgie didn't argue at that but tried to enjoy herself. She missed every few steps and Severus wisely didn't say anything about it, or wisely just didn't see it. She was kicking herself enough over it that his commentary would not be welcomed.
The music went faster and faster and the spun quicker and quicker. "I'm gonna be ill..." Georgie teased. Severus looked at her distastefully.
When the song at last was over Snape stood cool, calm and collected while Georgie was breathing heavily and pouting. "Show-off," she accused.
"What song would you care to hear next?" He queried her.
"O Canada?" She threw out.
"Really?" He sounded disappointed.
"No." She grinned up at him from her position of her hands resting on her knees and her body doubled over. "How about Big Band-ish stuff or jazz? Something with a bit of spirit."
He nodded at this, produced his wand from his pocket and aimed it at the ceiling. A moment later a song piped up.
Georgie stood straight up, "How'd you do that?"
"Magic."
"No, really? So you're the emcee?"
He smiled. "I programmed the songs, if that's what you mean."
"Like a computer programmer?"
"What? I just told it which songs to play." He explained bewilderedly.
"Yup, same thing, kinda...." She grinned. "So let's dance my song. Enough yapping from you, sir!" She grabbed his hand and yanked him into the song. They were both prodigiously fond of Swing dancing and both fortunately excelled at it. They managed to turn not only a few heads by the time the song wound down. Snape was rather conservative with his moves, Georgie noted.
"Severus, you kick ass!" Georgie hooted afterwards. He grabbed her hand and led her off the floor. He pointed his wand at the ceiling and mumbled a few words that weren't audible to her ears.
"More modern music. If they don't get a fair amount of the stuff, they'll complain." Severus explained after a minute. "Now's a good time to escape if you'd like to. It'll be like this for at least another 15 minutes."
Georgie grinned, but the smile fell away, "Wait, if you're emceeing, then you have to stay the entire time."
He nodded.
"Fine, I'll remain with you." She decided obstinately.
"If I were you, I'd leave. Seriously. There's going to be two more hours, dragging on just like the first."
"Well, it's good you're not me then. I mean besides the fact that you'd be wearing women's shoes, you'd be having to argue with a stubborn man." He frowned at her.
She scowled straight back at him. "Besides I bet it'll only be an hour." She grinned.
"Shows what you know." He sneered at her.
"Want to make a bet?" Georgie goaded him.
He struck out his hand and they shook on it. "I'll be back in 5 minutes," was all she said as she walked away.
She actually returned nearly 15 minutes later, rejoining the tall pale man who just wouldn't smile at the High Table. He didn't acknowledge her presence but she didn't care.
"At eleven I have to go out."
"You've got to be shitting me!" Georgie's eyes flashed.
"You didn't mean to say it like that." He spoke teasingly.
She whispered, "Well, I meant it that time. You can't go out. You had a Death Eater try and kill you yesterday. And now you're going out again?" She was incensed.
"Voldemort doesn't know about that, thank goodness." He glanced out over the students dancing. "He's called a meeting. I must go. It's s simple as that. I have no other choice." He looked at Georgie seriously.
"I know. But it's Halloween." She grumbled stubbornly, plopping her chin onto her propped up arm on the table.
"Believe me if there were something else I could do--I'd do it."
"I know what you could do." She beamed sweetly at him.
"I know what you're going to say." He sat his hand on top of her head comfortingly.
"Nuh-uh."
"Yes, You were going to say 'Kill Voldemort.'"
"I hate you," She crossed her arms in front of herself and sat down in her chair glaring out into the room sourly.
Severus chuckled to himself, then mussed up her hair good-naturedly before removing his hand.
"Am I that transparent?" She posed curiously.
"No, not really. Not usually. But for you there would be only one answer to that question. In that you're clear as crystal." His eyes lifted up towards the doors. Screams could be heard coming from directly outside and students ran into the Great Hall. All dancing ceased and people huddled slowly at the back of the room. Snape leapt to his feet, wand in hand. Georgie laughed at the sight he made and grabbing his sleeve tugged him back to his chair. He turned on her bewildered. "I did it." She justified, "You needed to get out of here earlier...." She shrugged. He than watched to see what unfolded.
The enchanted Jack o' Lanterns dragged and scooted themselves into the Great Hall and planted themselves firmly into the center of the room. If a student wandered too close, one of them would thrash with their vines and leap at their ankles.
A few minutes later they all starred in horror as the bats that had been previously fluttering near the top of the ceiling, suddenly dove low to land on the ground and then righted themselves. They walked on their two feet somewhat mechanically and unbalanced, Georgie noted disapprovingly, right before they grew to a size bigger than the average man.
Students went scampering and screaming in all directions. It was pure chaos. Poor Professor Flitwick seemed to be pinned up against the wall by a bat, which was bobbing and screeching over him.
Snape was on his feet again. "They won't hurt anyone." Georgie volunteered.
"Yes, but I must appear to not know that and try to resume order." Georgie proclaimed him wise and hopped down onto the dance floor, narrowly missing the gnashing pumpkins.
She grabbed the bat that had cornered Flitwick by the wing, and spun it around into a loose embrace. "Wanna dance good-looking fella?" She led the bat by the folded wing away from the wall, allowing Flitwick to escape. She dipped and twirled all the while the bat was screeching and baring fangs right above her head.
Snape stood paralyzed watching her. She looked insane. Well, she was insane. This was proof of it. He smirked, then composed himself. He sneered at everyone he passed as he tried to herd the students out into the Entryway. He found the Headmaster and explained that he believed this to be a harmless practical joke and suggested that the students be allowed to continue their festivities as soon as it was all straightened out. Dumbledore thought not, especially as there was only an hour left.
Dumbledore's voice rose above everyone else's and he announced the remainder of the dance was cancelled and instructed everyone to return to their respective houses. Severus figured many students would be disappointed, but surprisingly most of the students were ecstatic that this happened and would have something fun to talk about for weeks. "Did you see how close the pumpkin came to ripping off my leg?" a Hufflepuff boy proudly boasted.
How she got away with it, he didn't know. He fought his way through the stream of students to get back into the Great Hall. He found her doing the tango with that poor confused bat, singing out the beats and da-da-dum-ing back and forth in a line. He came up behind her, "You win. We all get to go."
"Yippee!" She jumped up and clasped her hands together. "Did you hear that Nacho? You're going back!"
"Nacho?" Snape entreated.
"Don't look at me. He chose that name. He's from South America." She nodded to the wobbling bat.
"Change everything back so we can get out of here." Severus suggested.
"Goodbye Nacho!" And she waved her wand and the bats shrank and took to the air again. Then the Jack O' Lanterns scooted across the floor and out the door to their previous perch outside the front door. Screams arose once again from the few lingering students in the Entryway.
Severus muttered grouchily. He gripped her by the elbow and led her out and down to the dungeon. "I'm going to miss Nacho..." She twittered.
Once in their lounge, Snape collapsed on his couch. "At least this affords me an extra hour."
"Hey, anything I can do to help." She flung open her medical store-cabinet.
"You're wicked, you know. You probably gave nightmares to some poor first year girl." He laughed.
"Severus Snape you've been doing that yourself for years now!" Georgie whipped out a bandage, and crossed the floor. "Shirt off."
"Yes ma'am." Severus smiled amorally and just sat there.
"Oh forget it." She griped. She set the bandages on the table and sat down beside him. She started on the top button of his robes and undid them all the way down hastily. Then throwing the robes back she reached to his side and lifted up his shirt. Her fingernails slid beneath the bandages, and she bit her lip as she carefully took them off.
"Does it feel tender?" She looked up into his eyes.
"It did today." He affirmed.
She poked him above the still angry-looking wound. "There?" He nodded that it hurt at all the places she touched him.
"Damn," She sat up, and looked into the other room.
"What?" He sounded concerned.
"You're going to have to lie down."
"Why?"
"Trust me." She hissed and bounded up.
Instead he stood up, wondering how in the world he had allowed his health to be placed into the hands of 21 year-old.
Returning to his side, she bowled him over. Then speaking loudly to make sure he heard everything, "Severus, you've despite everything, managed to get an infection. I'm going to tell you everything I do as I do alright?" She stood and moved to the cabinet. "I'm going to have to clean it out and disinfect it. The disinfectant I'm going to use this time is stronger and it will burn more."
She gathered up several vials and jars and a bunch of cotton squares. "Ordinarily I'd get Pomfrey. But she's a bit tipsy tonight. I know what I'm doing. I've done it with her. I'm not going to burn your skin off or anything." She laughed lightly as she set everything down before her.
"This whole thing will take only a couple of minutes." She knelt down between the table and the couch. She looked at him, "Ready?"
He nodded.
She chuckled, "If you need to yell, go ahead." He glared at her for even suggesting it.
Using her wand and the cotton squares, she managed to clean out the wound. It thankfully wasn't very deep anymore, and probably didn't hurt much. She looked up at Severus. "How you doing?" He tried to look almost bored. "Fine." He relied monotonely through clenched teeth. He wasn't sure if he succeeded.
"This is the not-so-nice part." She warned selecting a vial from the table behind her. She thrust her hand in his. "Squeeze if it hurts."
"I couldn't--" He began.
"Do it anyway," she snapped, then winked.
"You aren't a nice person tonight." He frowned.
"I'm not nice when my friends have nasty infection that I have to fix. I'll sing the Huki Lau later on if it'll make you like me again." She popped the top off using one hand. "Ready?" It broke her heart to have to do this, even to witness this.
He breathed out heavily, then nodded and closed his eyes.
"Okay." She poured the tiny amount of the liquid onto the open wound. It sizzled and burned and the overwhelming smell of acidy flesh rose up to her.
She watched his face as it blanched and his feature twisted up into a mask of pain. He griped her hand roughly, but she ignored her own pain. She blew briskly on the wound, puffing up her cheeks and deflating them until she was light-headed. Severus' grip eventually relaxed and his eyes opened slowly. She kept blowing lightly over it. "Alright?" She asked as she spread some thick paste directly on top of it. Madam Pomfey had told her that many a grown Wizard couldn't handle that antibiotic and many just straight out fainted on her infirmary floor.
He nodded. She smiled and reached up and messed with his hair. "You're fine," She informed. She quickly bandaged him up. "There." She jumped up to her feet. "Done." She announced.
She offered him a hand up and he lifted himself to his feet. "There is no way in heaven or hell that you're infected any longer," declaring as she cleaned up the soiled cotton and gathered the supplies up in her arms.
"Want a cup of tea now? Or coffee even?" She came out and collapsed on her couch, putting her feet up.
"Georgie, how'd you get to be so knowledgeable at Mediwizardry so quickly?"
"It's tempting to say 'Dark Arts' just to see how you'd react. But I'm a super quick study and I'm a freaking genius," She winked. "I bet you'd forgotten that. Must people do."
"So I had." He paced around the room aimlessly.
Georgie yawned. "Man, I've got bad breath! What did I eat? It's like I licked the floors. Now, I surely would've remembered doing that." She beat Severus to the punch.
Snape looked at his watch. "It's time to do rounds." He was now in the habit of using her word for it.
"You want me to handle them?" Georgie volunteered.
"No, I can do it." He insisted.
"I bet you can."
"You wish to come?" He questioned.
"Wouldn't miss it for the world." She grinned cheesily and they both took off.
Snape left her in middle of rounds as he needed to change and grab his cloak before going. She finished up without incident and wandered slowly back down the dungeons. Georgie called out goodnights and 'Happy Halloweens' to the few lingering Slytherin souls in the Common Room and headed in.
She hadn't got her nightgown back yet, so she changed into one of her spares. This one was just an overly large man's button-down shirt. It was pretty comfortable, but it showed off more knee and thigh than Georgie was comfortable with. She wrapped a blanket around her legs, and brought a fire to life. Georgie had been correct about one thing: The rain started back up as soon as they'd left the Dance.
She was exhausted, and surmised that she'd probably fall asleep before too long. So she took out her little medical knapsack and set it at the end of her couch, beyond her toes and pulled the blanket up to her chin.
Severus reappeared through the fireplace, adjusting his eyes almost instantaneously to the darkness of the room. He'd gotten away hours before he thought he'd be able to thankfully, so he could get at least a little sleep. Georgie was curled up on her couch, one foot dangling over her knapsack. She's clever, he mused. As he yawned and walked around the couch to her. He disentangled her foot from the bag's straps and set it on the table. He wasn't hurt and wouldn't need that for awhile. His side felt like new.
He stood over her for a few seconds before bending over to slide his thin arm underneath her back and another arm beneath her legs. He paused for a second, then lifted her up into his arms. He cradled her back as he stepped towards her room. She shifted and her arms moved around his neck. He didn't move for a minute. But then neither did he. She didn't weigh as much as she always complained she did. She wasn't exactly a feather either, he grimaced at the thought of the dainty ladies who were forever swooning and fainting. Georgie could pick them up over her head and break them in two. So, he over-exaggerated quite a bit. The point was she wasn't too heavy... and she smelled pleasant--like wool and new paper.
He shifted her in his arms and grabbed the door handle and pushed it in. Readjusting her, she seemed to wake up. He froze. Her eyes were still closed, but she snuggled closer. He frowned at this. And entered into her shadowy room.
"Severus, do you dream?" She asked, rather dreamily herself.
"Yes. Always nightmares." He whispered.
"I never dream. I'd wish for nightmares over nothing." Then she was silent.
He walked to the side of the bed and lay her down on top of the covers. He whisked the covers down and over her feet, then tucked them in around her. He stood up over her, then whispered. "I'd rather have nothing over the nightmares."
"Thanks Severus." She garbled.
And he turned his back and strode from the room, closing the door noiselessly behind him.
He sat at his desk in his room and sipped the Brandy. Wine was fine, but this was more potent, he thought as he held the glass up to the candlelight for scrutiny.
Georgie was bugging him. It wasn't her, but rather her role to him. She was a jack-of-all-trades to him.
She was first and foremost his closest friend at the moment. Dumbledore was always like a father, and for the longest time his best friend, but Georgie had uprooted all of that. Severus believed he still might trust the old man's judgement over hers, because of wisdom that comes with age and living and all that, but otherwise...He sighed.
Georgie took the shape of a helpless babe, a nurse, and a motherly figure. Sometimes she'd act like the vixen and taunt him. Other times, like a sister you could share secrets with. For the first time he felt that if she screwed up, he would cover for her. Because he knew she would for him--she was in fact doing so. Minerva had told him about her defending him to other students. At first he'd felt a bit upset--he didn't need nor wish to be defended. But later on, he felt, well, touched that she'd risk things to stand up for him. Honestly he believed it to be a waste of time--students would be students and Severus Snape wasn't about to change his style. And what exactly was she risking? The majority of the students idolized her and they would still do so if she told them the moon was indeed made of green cheese. Still the effort was well meant.
She was his friend and a true one at that. She was insane and caring and spontaneous. He always wondered how she managed to drag him into her hair-brained schemes unwittingly. He felt he couldn't help himself. He had fun with her and laughed more with her than he did in all the previous years combined. Felt younger and worried less bout life and death--not that he was old. He was still considered young by Wizarding standards.
When Orris McDade was caught and Dumbledore had just arrived at the room above the Leaky Cauldron, the woman had been secured to a chair and she was hissing and screaming--trying to bite at him like a tiger. Severus was repulsed. She called the two men every insulting name she could think of, but they ignored her as they prepared the Veritaserum. But when she mentioned the 'bitchy nit, Georgie,' Severus had spun around and almost struck her. It was at that moment that he feared for her sitting alone in that room at Hogwarts if Orris' anger towards her was what he thought it to be. Dumbledore looked on as he sent the second owl of the night to Hogwarts.
He felt like how he did with Harry. He owed it that the boy would make it to see adulthood. He owed to Georgie that her association with him wouldn't end up getting her killed. It was a sort of life-debt. His new fuller life for her continued full life, probably a selfish exchange, he pondered as he set his glass down. At least selfish reasons behind them.
He thought too much, he told himself as he stood, crossed the room and slipped out of his robes and into his black drawstring pants. He thought too much about relationships. She was fine, he was fine, everyone was damned fine. He needed to stop reading Muggle psychology books. He was beginning to find hidden meanings in the simplest and most innocent of things.
He flicked his wand and the fire went out with a poof. He made his way to his bed easily in the dark and climbed in, drawing the curtains around him. He was exhausted, as always, but hesitant to go to sleep. He'd told her truthfully. The nightmares came at night. And they were hideous. And getting worse.
He closed his eyes.
The first thing he heard in the morning was Georgie in the next room strumming her guitar and singing wildly. It's like living with a hyperactive toddler. Does she ever go to sleep?
"Georgie, could you be a little quieter?" He called out irritably.
"No." She hollered back cheekily.
A few seconds later he heard his own door open and footsteps stepping across his room.
"Is this still a nightmare?" He said as he slung his pillow over his head.
Abruptly she cast open the curtains at the foot of his bed. She crawled slowly up and sat on his toes. "Good morning, Sleepy Snape." She grinned down and shook his pillow covering his face.
"I hate you!" He snarled, muffled by the pillow.
"I bet you do. But wait--there's more! Let's see what else our lovely contestant has won!"
Drawing something plate-sized and covered by a napkin from behind her back she placed it on the side of the bed that Severus didn't sleep on.
"That's right! Out resident snoozer has won--Breakfast in Bed! Or rather, on the Bed--but not directly. If it were in the bed his jammies would smell like bacon..."
"Georgie," He whined, but she cut him off.
"But wait there's more! He gets a good morning song!" She reached down behind her and leaning against one of the posters was her guitar, which she lifted to her lap.
"Georgie!" He almost shrieked.
I think I'll go for a walk outside now,
The summertime's calling my name, I hear it now.
I just can't stay inside all day;
I've got to get out, gimme some of those rays.
Everybody's smiling, sunshine day,
Everybody's laughing, sunshine day,
Everybody seems so happy today in the sunshine day.
She stopped, "That's all I've learned so far." And set the instrument aside.
"Yes, why don't you 'go for a walk outside.' Now!" He bellowed.
"Lastly, I give you sunshine!" She announced as she flung back the curtains on his bed and wrestled the pillow away from him. He growled at her, as he attempted to shield his eyes from the light.
"The sunshine was the hardest one to get..." she whispered in mock confidentiality.
Severus slowly opened his eyes to the sunshine. It was pleasant enough. "What time is it? He mumbled.
"After one. Good Afternoon!"
"I hate you," he glared at her.
"That's lovely. Now eat the stupid food and get dressed already. I'm bored." She vaulted off the end of the bed and shut the door as she ran back out through it.
Several minutes later Severus stepped into the lounge holding her forgotten guitar up to her. She grabbed it up. She was wearing shorts he saw. "Why're you wearing shorts?" He pointed at her legs distractedly.
"Wanna go surfing?"
He blinked at her. "No."
"Come on it'll be such fun. You'd love it." She pleaded. "I know just the place.... Really it's better for body boarding--the waves usually suck. But it'd be a new experience."
He shook his head. He didn't feel up to getting his head dashed on the rocks just yet today, thank you. Snape flung his hands at her, trying to shoo her or the idea out of his mind. He pushed past her and out into the Common Room. She followed him all the way out into the hallway. He entered the passageway to the kitchens.
"See I told you you'd get a good use out of this thing." She motioned the walls around them.
He looked back at her sharply and his eyes narrowed. "You haven't got anything on your feet."
"People have died from lesser things."
"You could get sick...."
"And where would that leave you?" she harassed. "While we're speaking hypothetically, monkeys could fly out of my arse too."
"That is disgusting."
"Well, that's a step up from my being disgusting. Now, come on," She tugged at his sleeve as he hurried forward. "It'll be fun. It's Sunday, and you don't need to go out tonight. I'll even get the house-elves to pack us a dinner or something."
He ignored her as he stepped cautiously from the passageway, checking all about him to see if they'd been spotted. Georgie trampled straight through, nosily and heedless to any one watching. He grabbed her elbow and led into the passageway behind the painting. Severus greeted the elves curtly and went over to barked out something about coffee. Georgie wrinkled her nose up and wondered when he started drinking that; she'd stopped with that nasty stuff weeks ago.
When Severus finally had gotten his strong coffee, he placed it flatly in his palms and marched across to the girl sitting on the stool watching him. "I don't want to embarrass myself." He spat at her.
"Severus Snape, stop being such an imbecile. We won't be seen--and I'll teach you how.... Come on. You're talking to the Queen of Making an Ass Out of Herself here. Do you think I'll care? Really?"
He shook his head and looked into his dark cup and drank deeply from it.
He sighed. "I suppose. But you plan everything, I don't even want to think today." He rubbed his temple.
"Woo-hoo!" She raved. Then she took off at a run out of the kitchens.
Severus sighed and shook his head disapprovingly. "Do you think I'm not being sharp?" He quizzed a house-elf bustling by.
"I think Sir is daft." Snape nodded at this and drained his cup.
Severus sat in the study alone later that night, sipping tea and staring into the flames of the fire. The rain hadn't return...yet. He sneered. It was so quiet now. He heaved a sigh. Georgie was visiting Hagrid or Minerva or Pomfrey or Sprout--he couldn't be bothered to keep it all straight. The point was she was out.
The day had been long. He furled his brow hard at the remembrance. Georgie had been correct--the body boarding was exhilarating. It took a certain degree of skill and he felt he'd improved by leaps and bounds by the time the sun had begun to set. She was a patient teacher. But her mouth was always running away from her. She picked on something or other about him or his habits--he didn't even remember what it was, he growled bitterly. It had set off a chain-reaction of biting remarks and bickering. The day had been lovely until then.
He drank the tea and let it's warmth soothe him for the inside. He of course couldn't shirk responsibility either--he couldn't just let a comment or a look go without some barb from him, could he? But he didn't dwell on it too long. It was, after all, how he was and how he'd always been. People don't change like that. They'd made amends soon afterwards and Georgie had probably forgotten it had even happened. She just let these things roll off of her back.
Severus set the cup lightly down on the smooth table and stared at it intently for a few minutes. Next to it lay a bundle marked for Georgie from his house-elf Cassy. It was her nightgown. There was also a bit of Banana Bread and two water guns affixed to the top of it--it'd taken two owls to carry. Cassy always was sentimentally foolish.
He waved his arm and the dirty cup disappeared. He looked to his watch, and as he saw it was early yet, he decided to pay Dumbledore a visit. He stiffly rose from his sofa and tenderly massaged his back and neck for a moment. Along with the exhilaration of the body boarding, came also the sore muscles inherent in such athletic endeavors. He was selfishly proud to have spied his young friend Georgie massaging her own neck in such a way. Not that he enjoyed seeing her aching, but he was glad to know that he wasn't so far out of the game as one would assume.
He glided outside and in the direction of the Headmaster's office. He caught two Gryffindors trying to escape him at the end of the corridor. He bellowed at them and they halted, frozen in their tracks. He grinned maliciously at them. Always Gryffindors. He sent them directly back to their tower minus 30 points. He did get some slight, sick pleasure in wielding the power over these kids. Georgie had suggested that this could stem from his feeling out-of-control in his own life, being at the beck and call of a murdering psycho. She'd said it almost light-heartedly, like she were getting used to the fact that he was who he was and he did what he did. It bothered him. Both the suggestion and the ease with which she spoke of it, but why shouldn't she be used to it? Would he prefer that she cower in fear of 'You-Know-Who' like the rest of the world? Or that she deny the realities of life? He had finally replied that, no, he just thought he was a sadist or something...
He wasn't in a very pleasant mood, and he growled the password to Dumbledore's offices, his robes billowed out behind him as he attacked the stairs. Dumbledore stood twiddling his thumbs beaming on him. "I thought that might be you. Come inside. I'd enjoy a game of chess." He ushered the towering man inside the door. Severus found his usual seat at the chessboard.
The old man called out, "Care for some tea Severus?" Snape declined politely, but sat scowling at the blank wall opposite him. He then took that opportunity to set up the board.
The Headmaster returned a minute later with his own cup in hand. "I've missed having you up here so often," as he sat down carefully.
"I apologize."
Dumbledore looked to the board and moved first.
Severus leaned forward, and perched over the board and quickly moved his piece.
Dumbledore remarked, "The game is always easiest at the beginning. Motives are clearer; Where to move is blatantly obvious." He picked up his piece. "It's later on that it gets.... complicated..."
Snape stared down his nose at the man. Then turning to the game, he paused only momentarily to decide between two pawns, before plucking one up and setting it forward.
"So, Severus. How do your classes fare?" He sat hunched over the board and didn't look at the younger man.
"The students are morons. Some more than others of course," He sneered. "It's a rare day indeed where there's not an injury or disaster. They don't now, nor will they ever take the subject seriously."
"That's not true. Why I happen to know of several Hufflepuffs that seemingly enjoy your lessons." Dumbledore pointed out.
"Albus, they're Hufflepuffs." He said pointedly. The old man nodded his understanding. "The Gryffindors and Slytherins are both appalling." It was ironic that the two furthest separated houses would share this attribute. The Gryffindors hated Potions--and Snape--because the Professor favored his house. The Slytherins didn't care a whit for the subject and it's work for probably for the exact same reason
Dumbledore gave a hiccup of laughter. "I had a conversation with two young Slytherins who seem to think you're not as gruesome as they once believed you to be." Severus met the man's eyes.
"Oh really?" He asked unexcitedly.
"The Malones."
Severus rolled his eyes, "Siobhan and Niamh?"
"Yes, they think you're quite, 'cool'." Albus mimicked good-naturedly.
"That just goes to show you what a lack of good sense they both possess." He hissed bitterly.
"Severus, don't think of yourself so lowly. You've managed to show them your better side by some miracle or oversight of yours, why shouldn't they think good of a teacher?"
"Georgie brought it about." He mumbled as he moved his piece.
Dumbledore nodded to himself. "How is she these days? She hasn't come to see me in a long time."
"She's a perfect hellion. But I enjoy her company," Severus eyed the man carefully. "She used to visit you?" He hadn't remembered ever hearing her mentioning his friend.
"Oh, only a few times. Mostly when she was upset with you." Albus taunted lightly. "She told me your favorite animal was a whale. After all these years I never knew that." His eyes twinkled as recognition seemed to dawn on Severus' face.
Severus dismissed that. "In classes she excels beyond anything I've ever seen. You were correct in implementing set challenges for her. She loses interest and motivation quickly." He leaned back in his chair and rubbed his eyes with his palms.
"And the Mediwizardry Training?" Albus pursued.
"She's surpassed even Madam Pomfrey. She knows those textbooks inside out. She's even taken an unhealthy pleasure in mothering over me." He laughed grimly. "I could strangle her."
Albus looked taken aback at her words, and Severus shot him a harsh look. Albus frowned and moved his piece. He quickly took Snape's pawn and set it aside.
"And she doesn't appear to be shirking those duties off? I came to understand that it was to be part of her Potions study?" Albus concentrated on the board.
"No, she's truly possessed on the subject. She's taken quite a responsibility in it. I'm also instructing her on making Lupin's potion this month and the next." He muttered under his breath, "Among other potions..."
Dumbledore heard that, but didn't let on that he'd overheard.
"She does seem to try and look after you." Severus shot his friend a look, but Albus kept on, his eyes twinkling. "No really. Anything to give you an extra free hour, especially a free hour from a certain dance."
Severus looked at the man narrowly, trying to determine if he knew what Severus thought he knew. "Oh? How did you find that out?" Snape demanded.
"Nacho told me." He said simply, setting his hands in his lap.
Snape broke the tension by chuckling mildly. He sighed, "She did try and tell me that that was the bat's name. I didn't really pay her any attention at the time."
"Yes, very little escapes my attention here." Albus was pleased at his friend's formerly rare laughter.
"As always." Severus smirked. He moved his knight forward and took Dumbledore's bishop. "It was, I admit, a part of a scheme between she and myself. I claim full responsibility for that night's festivities."
Albus' eyes twinkled, "I have no desire to revisit that night here tonight with you. Forgotten. Only in my pensieve can I sit back and laugh at the visions of the chaos and fun..." He paused. "But the fact that you'd claim responsibility for it is admirable. It shows real depth of character." He mused.
Severus glowered at his friend, "Albus, spare me."
The old man bowed at this and watched as Snape moved his piece.
Dumbledore sat back in his armchair and cleared his throat poignantly. "I heard from the ministry yesterday about Miss McDade..." Severus sat up stiffly. "Her trial's this week. She's been held in Azkaban up until now and some people are pushing for the Dementor's Kiss. It appears that she's been involved in several other killings in recent days. I'm afraid they're going to make a scapegoat out of her."
Snape blanched, "It'll be no more than she deserves."
Dumbledore was amazed at such sentiment. "I can't believe that of you Severus."
"Why not? She's unrepentant to the end. She tried to kill me. She has killed others, Albus. She tried to kill Georgie with the Firebomb. I hope she rots." He seethed.
"But compare it to your own life. What of mercy?" Dumbledore moved his piece forward.
"Each case is it's own special case--you said that to me, so I'm using it back at you. I was remorseful of my behavior. I don't necessarily wish her to receive the Kiss." He spoke deliberately. "But I feel that as sure as I live and breathe, if she's allowed to return to society someday she'll start up where she left off. I know she's had a Memory Charm performed on her, so of course my own safety isn't the issue."
Dumbledore crossed his arms across his chest. "I disagree."
"You're allowed."
The old man chose his words carefully. "I see this as another personal fight. Another vendetta or a place for revenge. It's probably because she ingratiated herself with you to get close to you. Under the guise of something you revere so highly as romantic attachments."
"That's absurd, Albus. And you know it." Severus' temper was starting to fray.
"No, I'm not so sure it is. Georgie filled your head with wonderful scenes of you and Miss McDade in deep affection for one another. You unwittingly exert yourself to make that an end in the hopeless relationship. When the goal isn't reached, you are let down, feel empty and thus blame the deceiving woman. When really it's as simple as realizing that it was wrong from the get-go. Doomed even before it began."
Snape's eyes flashed, "What would you know of such things?" He snarled, his face livid.
"Severus, calm down. I'm an old man and I've lived for many, many years. And I'm bound to live for many more. I've had my fair share of experiences and dealings with the opposite sex. You almost alone know I was married once." His eyes took on a sad look. "But best yet, I know you. You are always clouded by your own viewpoints and you see what you wish to see. Always the dreamer, Severus. I see this to be true--it's as clear as day to me." He folded his hands in finality.
Severus, glared at his friend for several more minutes, but spoke nothing. He studied the checkered board and rubbed his chin absently before impulsively lifting up his piece and setting it down gently beside a white one.
"I believe what you say is true." Severus uttered lowly. "Still, I feel what I do towards the woman. It might be unjustly amplified, but the truth is she is evil." He sighed, and closed his eyes. "Perhaps she hit too close to home this time."
Albus nodded. He'd gathered that much from the way Severus had panicked in the Leaky Cauldron and sent the note telling Georgie to flee.
The old man tested carefully, "She owes you a lot. If it weren't for you, she'd have been severely burned, she might have died." Snape winced at this. He had managed not to think of his friend lying hurt and burned and in pain...
"Oh, it doesn't matter. She's saved my life so many times, and I've saved hers, it just doesn't matter any longer. Besides my life wasn't worth living." He explained absently.
Albus tried to change the subject. "Mediwizardry is a skill more and more young people will need to be competent in for the coming years. It's unfortunate, but it's becoming somewhat of a necessity. I've been putting it off for as long as I could, but I think at the start of next year we may add Mediwizardry options for older students." He tried to gauge Severus' expression.
"If you're thinking of asking Georgie, go ahead. She's more than competent. Wild and unorthodox, yes, but capable." He sighed, and looked contemptuous. "But I think she's more keen on selling Butterbeers or some other such nonsense."
Albus laughed at that. "So those are her designs then? Good for her. Still I will ask about it come the end of the year, if you don't object?"
"Why should I?"
"No reason whatsoever." He replied affably. "Just don't ruin the surprise."
Their conversation tarried on, and Severus won all three games they played. When Snape excused himself for the night, he silently wondered at how Dumbledore could be so distracted as to always lose the game. But what he didn't realize was that the true 'game' for Dumbledore was their conversations, and Dumbledore always won those.
A/N--Ugh, school....
They landed at Hogwarts with, just like Severus said, with time to spare. She wished he'd have lied.
Snape hurried off to find Dumbledore and Georgie considered drowning in the lake. But she thought the giant Squid might been annoyed by her presence down there.
Sighing in resignation she stalked off to the bathroom. The twins flagged her down before she reached there and pressed her for where she'd gone--they'd looked everywhere for her. She just explained that she took off for a friend's house last-night and just returned from there this moment. Everyone was milling around the Common Room, some already wearing their dress robes, as envious younger students glared on.
She'd give her place to any of them if she could. She re-washed her hair and tied it back into a ponytail. Good enough, she grunted at the reflection in the mirror. Snape was sitting on the couch when she returned but Georgie breezed by him only asking him if he'd gotten the Firebomb, and he assured her he had. She had a couple dress robes she had to choose from and she threw the wardrobe door open violently. Snape heard it in the other room, and wondered what she was getting up to.
She took them all out and threw them on the bed. She had green, red, burgundy, black, gray, and deep blue. She scratched her head as she debated between them. Green and red were too Christmas-ey. And as there was to be a Christmas ball later, she'd leave those for then. Black looked too mournful, or gothic. Personally she liked the gray and the deep blue.
She strode over to her bedroom door and flung her head out, "Grey or blue?"
Severus turned around. "Gray or blue what?"
"Just gray or blue."
"I suppose gray." She thanked him, then ducked back inside. Figures.
But she put the gray on. It was Halloween and it was the closest to black she was going to get to tonight. She opened the bottom section of her wardrobe and sat before it on her knees. Her shoes were all contained down there. She reached in and started throwing shoes out over her shoulder once she determined that they wouldn't work, some of them hit the bed and landed on the floor with a thump while others flew into the walls. Georgie was muttering to herself, like a madwoman.
Severus, frowned as he heard her talking to herself, then hearing loud thumps. He hoped she wasn't beating herself up to get out of the dance. He laughed at the image. Gradually the noises subsided, and Severus returned to his book in hand.
She picked through her jewelry. She was looking for the enchanted necklace and bracelet she'd bought with Minerva before school had even started. She found them both and slipped them both on. She couldn't really remember what they were enchanted to do, but figured if it were something interesting she'd have hints to it by the end of the evening. Maybe it made her a sort of Dancing Queen.... She stepped into her flats and hopped over in front of the mirror. She let down her hair and quickly twisted it up into a full bun, with a few stray ringlets down the back. Kinda cute, she winked at her mirror self. Boring, but cute.
She burst through the door and stood at the end of the couch, adjusting her sleeves and frowning at a scuff on her shoes. "Ready?" She asked Severus.
He stood up and moved past her to put his book on the bookshelf by the door.
"Ready." He called to her and she looked up and took a step towards him, muttering and complaining. But she took only that one step before stopping all progress. She stared wide-eyed at Severus "Oh my gawd." She exclaimed as her mouth fell and stayed open. He was sitting there like this the entire time?!
He had a fabulous black robe on, not at all like his usual high-neck ones. And his hair was pulled back into a small braid. But it wasn't just that, he looked...healthier. Not so dead white, but slightly ruddy. He squirmed under her scrutiny though, not recognizing it for praise, but rather for horror.
"What? Is it that bad?" He held up his arms and tried to look at his back, while spinning in circles.
"Bad?" She asked incredulously as she moved to stand before him. "No. I'm just wondering how I could have missed you. You look nice." She gushed.
His face blanched, "Perhaps I'll change then..." His hand went up to his hair.
She slapped his hands. "Like hell you will. You don't realize how good you look? You're a regular hottie!" She grabbed him by the arm and led him back until he was standing in front of her mirror. "You're gonna break some hearts tonight!" She teased, then pulled him back towards the exit knowing full well she was pumping his ego up bigger than it already was. At least when he knew himself to be physically unattractive, he could only gloat about intellect. Here she was handing him ammunition for his mind-cannon.
The Slytherins were already at the feast thank goodness or Snape's legs dragging might have hindered their progress even more.
Severus protested right up to the doors of the Great Hall. Georgie hissed naughtily, "Come on. It'll be fun. You deserve to turn some heads and kick a little ass." And with that she pushed the doors wide open and dragged him inside after her.
Georgie out-paced him as she made a beeline for the high table leaving Severus mercilessly to the eyes of everyone on the school. He collected his wits about him and strode purposefully forward stony-faced. Neighbor elbowed neighbor to turn around and see as he passed by. A hum of whispering swept through the Hall. Snape had to admit he enjoyed the attention somewhat.
He almost forgot to sneer until he reached the teachers. Quite a few of them had similar wide-mouthed expressions on their faces as well. Only Dumbledore smiled his quiet smile and Georgie looked about to bust up in raucous laughter. He passed behind her and she smiled wickedly at him, winking. He seated himself next to Dumbledore who commented offhandedly on his fine choice in robes tonight. Severus' face paled as he felt all the eyes on him, not out of their usual fear or loathing, but their feeling something altogether different towards him. He was disgusted at how fickle people could be--wear a different robe and suddenly they saw you in a different light.
The feast started presently and Snape ate with great relish. Georgie at the other end of the table was joking with Binns and Hagrid and Lupin about the bats fluttering around beneath the ceiling. Binns suggested that Snape might attempt to join them, they all snickered at that--especially as it came from the dry and boring Ghost Professor.
Binns told her that her outfit was enchanting. Georgie thanked him, and wondered what could be making the man so vocal. Georgie poured herself a glass of juice and reached across to Professor Lupin to snatch a dinner roll. "Happy Halloween," She wished him happily.
"Thank you." He smiled weakly at her. "Happy Halloween to you too. And might I say that that dress is quite becoming on you. You look altogether enchanting tonight." Georgie almost dropped the roll. Praise from Lupin was praise indeed. She thanked him kindly complimenting his new robes also, but also a little confusedly. The twins would kill her when she told them he said that to her.
She finished her food and chewed absently. Dumbledore stood up and the room silenced. It turned out that there was to be a sort of talent showcase for the hour between the feast and the Dance's beginnings and all years were welcome to attend. Georgie scowled. She'd seen the notice posted on the wall telling about the auditions simply ages ago. But she'd thankfully forgotten. Too bad it was all coming back now, she rubbed her forehead.
Hagrid dragged her thoughts back and they chatted for several minutes about the talent entries, Georgie watching as Hagrid nervously tied and undid his tie several times. She wanted to slap his hands down, he was making her nervous as well.
The talent showcase was a complete and utter waste of time, if Georgie could have put it any nicer, she would have. But she didn't feel like it. She was bored to tears. The trio of Gryffindor girls singing some medieval ballad that went on for almost 40 verses. Points for memory work, points off for being tedious. While she sat there she thought up a question to ask Madam Pomfrey for the next lesson, she thought up an entire letter to her mother and she bit off two of her fingernails.
The younger classes were dismissed and everyone stood as Dumbledore swept the tables to the sides of the room with a swish of his wand. Georgie stayed put and watched the nervous lads eyeing the girls, but not advancing towards them. She rolled her eyes. Babies. Music wafted from.... somewhere. She raised her eyes all about the great room but never did find the source.
Hagrid stood up and explained that he was going to ask Minerva to stand up with him. Poor Minerva she giggled. Before he left, Hagrid turned to her and casually mentioned how she looked enchanting this evening and she'd better remember to save him a dance. As soon as he walked away Georgie frowned deeply and stared into space.
She turned when she heard someone sit next to her and beheld Severus. She smiled at him then looked back out over the dance floor.
"Trewlaney won't leave me alone." He remarked sullenly.
"That's because you look fab. Perfectly marvelous." She drawled.
"You know, you look very...." He paused for a minute scrutinizing her.
She held up her hand. "Wait don't say it. We're you going to say 'enchanting' perchance?"
His eyes widened suspiciously "Yes. How did you kn..."He broke off as he watched her rip off her necklace and bracelet and discarded them on the table in front of her.
She turned to him. "I thought they was enchanted. Not that they'd make me appear enchanting." She said miserably.
The corners of his mouth twitched amusedly. "Keep them on then." He suggested.
"Nope. I'd rather I got attention the old-fashioned way. By causing trouble and by earning it without the aid of magic." She looked disgustedly at it.
"Wise enough." He assented.
"Nah. Not wise. Selfish." She grinned at him, before looking back over the dance floor. Siobhan and Niamh were frantically waving at her. Severus pointed them out to her. "It think your fan club wants a word."
They both rushed up to the table and stood beside Snape and talked to Georgie.
"Oh my goodness, Look at Lupin's new robes. Aren't they to-die-for?" Niamh pretended to faint.
Siobhan glanced over her shoulder. "He even looks like he'd like to dance, standing there all by himself looking at the floor. Do you think he'd like to?" She posed.
Snape answered, "I happen to know that he's very fond of dancing. Look and he doesn't have a partner. One of you should ask him to a friendly dance. He won't bite you know." Severus winked at Georgie, and she pretended to gag.
Naimh seemed dead set against it and Siobhan was trying to get enough courage together to ask him. Georgie snatched up the necklace and bracelet and slipped one of them each onto the girls. "Trust me, boys'll notice them." And sitting back down, she threatened." If one of you doesn't ask him I will for you and that'll be beyond embarrassing--I'll assure that." She laughed playfully.
Niamh didn't look convinced. "But he's a professor!" She insisted.
"Yes and he's also a boy. And boys like to dance with girls, so get going or you'll feel my wrath!" She growled as they turned away.
Severus commented. "Your logic astounds me. But you do wonders for those girls." He pointed out into the room first at Siobhan dragging Lupin onto the dance floor and then at Niamh being dragged there by Hagrid.
Georgie sniggered. "Well, getting it right half the time isn't so bad."
Snape turned on her, "What are you talking about those are horrible odds!"
"Not for pairing people up, it isn't." She replied enigmatically, then got to her feet. "Listen, I'm going to steal away for a Diet Coke. I'll be back in a few. If I'm not, send the hounds out." She leapt down and out of the massive doors. He shook his head--she made her Diet Coke breaks sound like going out for a cigarette.
She returned shortly afterwards, sipping her soda while sauntering back to her seat. She didn't see Snape and figured 'good for him he escaped'. But she promised herself she'd put in at least an hour, out of courtesy. She sat and gazed up at the enchanted ceiling. For once it didn't appear to be raining. She sniffed, but just wait--an hour from now it'll be coming down in buckets.
Niamh and Siobhan had switched partners and Siobhan was now kicking up her heels as she tried to twirl Hagrid's massive bulk under their arms. He practically lifted her off the ground in the process, but they jumped about rowdily and seemed to be having a fabulous time. Niamh seemed to be deeply engrossed in a conversation with Lupin and they hardly noticed when the Latin number ended and the modern number began.
"Funny," Georgie muttered under her breath. A voice hissed in her ear, "Severus looks to be having fun." She looked around to see Dumbledore being led onto the floor by Minerva. He turned and winked at her. She hadn't seen Severus when she came in...Finally she spied Severus out. He was on the dance floor. And he was dancing. With Trewlany.
Georgie's hand went to her mouth and her shoulders convulsed in hushed up laughter. Oh, she'd try and rescue him when the song was over, but this was rich. She set her soda down and stood up, smoothing out her robes with her palms. She stepped down off of the raised High Table platform to the edge of the designated dance floor, but didn't approach them. She knew Severus saw her and knew she was supposed to come rescue him, but she decided to wait out the entire long song.
When the song ended she rushed over to Trewlaney's side, grinning broadly, but artificially. Trewlaney stopped in mid-sentence to look at her. "Oh, Hello. I was wondering if I could cut on?" She simpered and grinned syrupy. Trewlaney allowed her to and stepped aside. Georgie continued to grin toothily and widely, which Severus knew she never did. "You did that on purpose," He hissed at her.
"I have no idea what you're talking about." She hissed back through her grinning teeth.
"You can stop now. She can't see you and you're scaring me." Looking around him.
"I think I'm stuck." She said from behind clenched teeth.
"I wish they'd play a good old Reel or something like that--not like any of this modern stuff," Snape said off-handedly. Then a moment later the beginning strains of violin started in on a Reel. Or a jig or something--Georgie wasn't exactly up to date on those sort of dances.
"Holy moley. You're magic." She pointed at him. He grabbed her extended hand.
"Of course. Dance." She felt herself being dragged onto the floor.
"I'm not good at Reels." She admitted wearily. She let Snape guide her about. When he pushed her she went forward, when he pulled her she went backwards. She guessed she didn't look too foolish, and for that she was grateful. Stupid heel to toe rubbish....
"I know you're not good at the Reel." He grinned down at her.
"You're enjoying this. You're sick, you know."
"Oh well too late."
Georgie didn't argue at that but tried to enjoy herself. She missed every few steps and Severus wisely didn't say anything about it, or wisely just didn't see it. She was kicking herself enough over it that his commentary would not be welcomed.
The music went faster and faster and the spun quicker and quicker. "I'm gonna be ill..." Georgie teased. Severus looked at her distastefully.
When the song at last was over Snape stood cool, calm and collected while Georgie was breathing heavily and pouting. "Show-off," she accused.
"What song would you care to hear next?" He queried her.
"O Canada?" She threw out.
"Really?" He sounded disappointed.
"No." She grinned up at him from her position of her hands resting on her knees and her body doubled over. "How about Big Band-ish stuff or jazz? Something with a bit of spirit."
He nodded at this, produced his wand from his pocket and aimed it at the ceiling. A moment later a song piped up.
Georgie stood straight up, "How'd you do that?"
"Magic."
"No, really? So you're the emcee?"
He smiled. "I programmed the songs, if that's what you mean."
"Like a computer programmer?"
"What? I just told it which songs to play." He explained bewilderedly.
"Yup, same thing, kinda...." She grinned. "So let's dance my song. Enough yapping from you, sir!" She grabbed his hand and yanked him into the song. They were both prodigiously fond of Swing dancing and both fortunately excelled at it. They managed to turn not only a few heads by the time the song wound down. Snape was rather conservative with his moves, Georgie noted.
"Severus, you kick ass!" Georgie hooted afterwards. He grabbed her hand and led her off the floor. He pointed his wand at the ceiling and mumbled a few words that weren't audible to her ears.
"More modern music. If they don't get a fair amount of the stuff, they'll complain." Severus explained after a minute. "Now's a good time to escape if you'd like to. It'll be like this for at least another 15 minutes."
Georgie grinned, but the smile fell away, "Wait, if you're emceeing, then you have to stay the entire time."
He nodded.
"Fine, I'll remain with you." She decided obstinately.
"If I were you, I'd leave. Seriously. There's going to be two more hours, dragging on just like the first."
"Well, it's good you're not me then. I mean besides the fact that you'd be wearing women's shoes, you'd be having to argue with a stubborn man." He frowned at her.
She scowled straight back at him. "Besides I bet it'll only be an hour." She grinned.
"Shows what you know." He sneered at her.
"Want to make a bet?" Georgie goaded him.
He struck out his hand and they shook on it. "I'll be back in 5 minutes," was all she said as she walked away.
She actually returned nearly 15 minutes later, rejoining the tall pale man who just wouldn't smile at the High Table. He didn't acknowledge her presence but she didn't care.
"At eleven I have to go out."
"You've got to be shitting me!" Georgie's eyes flashed.
"You didn't mean to say it like that." He spoke teasingly.
She whispered, "Well, I meant it that time. You can't go out. You had a Death Eater try and kill you yesterday. And now you're going out again?" She was incensed.
"Voldemort doesn't know about that, thank goodness." He glanced out over the students dancing. "He's called a meeting. I must go. It's s simple as that. I have no other choice." He looked at Georgie seriously.
"I know. But it's Halloween." She grumbled stubbornly, plopping her chin onto her propped up arm on the table.
"Believe me if there were something else I could do--I'd do it."
"I know what you could do." She beamed sweetly at him.
"I know what you're going to say." He sat his hand on top of her head comfortingly.
"Nuh-uh."
"Yes, You were going to say 'Kill Voldemort.'"
"I hate you," She crossed her arms in front of herself and sat down in her chair glaring out into the room sourly.
Severus chuckled to himself, then mussed up her hair good-naturedly before removing his hand.
"Am I that transparent?" She posed curiously.
"No, not really. Not usually. But for you there would be only one answer to that question. In that you're clear as crystal." His eyes lifted up towards the doors. Screams could be heard coming from directly outside and students ran into the Great Hall. All dancing ceased and people huddled slowly at the back of the room. Snape leapt to his feet, wand in hand. Georgie laughed at the sight he made and grabbing his sleeve tugged him back to his chair. He turned on her bewildered. "I did it." She justified, "You needed to get out of here earlier...." She shrugged. He than watched to see what unfolded.
The enchanted Jack o' Lanterns dragged and scooted themselves into the Great Hall and planted themselves firmly into the center of the room. If a student wandered too close, one of them would thrash with their vines and leap at their ankles.
A few minutes later they all starred in horror as the bats that had been previously fluttering near the top of the ceiling, suddenly dove low to land on the ground and then righted themselves. They walked on their two feet somewhat mechanically and unbalanced, Georgie noted disapprovingly, right before they grew to a size bigger than the average man.
Students went scampering and screaming in all directions. It was pure chaos. Poor Professor Flitwick seemed to be pinned up against the wall by a bat, which was bobbing and screeching over him.
Snape was on his feet again. "They won't hurt anyone." Georgie volunteered.
"Yes, but I must appear to not know that and try to resume order." Georgie proclaimed him wise and hopped down onto the dance floor, narrowly missing the gnashing pumpkins.
She grabbed the bat that had cornered Flitwick by the wing, and spun it around into a loose embrace. "Wanna dance good-looking fella?" She led the bat by the folded wing away from the wall, allowing Flitwick to escape. She dipped and twirled all the while the bat was screeching and baring fangs right above her head.
Snape stood paralyzed watching her. She looked insane. Well, she was insane. This was proof of it. He smirked, then composed himself. He sneered at everyone he passed as he tried to herd the students out into the Entryway. He found the Headmaster and explained that he believed this to be a harmless practical joke and suggested that the students be allowed to continue their festivities as soon as it was all straightened out. Dumbledore thought not, especially as there was only an hour left.
Dumbledore's voice rose above everyone else's and he announced the remainder of the dance was cancelled and instructed everyone to return to their respective houses. Severus figured many students would be disappointed, but surprisingly most of the students were ecstatic that this happened and would have something fun to talk about for weeks. "Did you see how close the pumpkin came to ripping off my leg?" a Hufflepuff boy proudly boasted.
How she got away with it, he didn't know. He fought his way through the stream of students to get back into the Great Hall. He found her doing the tango with that poor confused bat, singing out the beats and da-da-dum-ing back and forth in a line. He came up behind her, "You win. We all get to go."
"Yippee!" She jumped up and clasped her hands together. "Did you hear that Nacho? You're going back!"
"Nacho?" Snape entreated.
"Don't look at me. He chose that name. He's from South America." She nodded to the wobbling bat.
"Change everything back so we can get out of here." Severus suggested.
"Goodbye Nacho!" And she waved her wand and the bats shrank and took to the air again. Then the Jack O' Lanterns scooted across the floor and out the door to their previous perch outside the front door. Screams arose once again from the few lingering students in the Entryway.
Severus muttered grouchily. He gripped her by the elbow and led her out and down to the dungeon. "I'm going to miss Nacho..." She twittered.
Once in their lounge, Snape collapsed on his couch. "At least this affords me an extra hour."
"Hey, anything I can do to help." She flung open her medical store-cabinet.
"You're wicked, you know. You probably gave nightmares to some poor first year girl." He laughed.
"Severus Snape you've been doing that yourself for years now!" Georgie whipped out a bandage, and crossed the floor. "Shirt off."
"Yes ma'am." Severus smiled amorally and just sat there.
"Oh forget it." She griped. She set the bandages on the table and sat down beside him. She started on the top button of his robes and undid them all the way down hastily. Then throwing the robes back she reached to his side and lifted up his shirt. Her fingernails slid beneath the bandages, and she bit her lip as she carefully took them off.
"Does it feel tender?" She looked up into his eyes.
"It did today." He affirmed.
She poked him above the still angry-looking wound. "There?" He nodded that it hurt at all the places she touched him.
"Damn," She sat up, and looked into the other room.
"What?" He sounded concerned.
"You're going to have to lie down."
"Why?"
"Trust me." She hissed and bounded up.
Instead he stood up, wondering how in the world he had allowed his health to be placed into the hands of 21 year-old.
Returning to his side, she bowled him over. Then speaking loudly to make sure he heard everything, "Severus, you've despite everything, managed to get an infection. I'm going to tell you everything I do as I do alright?" She stood and moved to the cabinet. "I'm going to have to clean it out and disinfect it. The disinfectant I'm going to use this time is stronger and it will burn more."
She gathered up several vials and jars and a bunch of cotton squares. "Ordinarily I'd get Pomfrey. But she's a bit tipsy tonight. I know what I'm doing. I've done it with her. I'm not going to burn your skin off or anything." She laughed lightly as she set everything down before her.
"This whole thing will take only a couple of minutes." She knelt down between the table and the couch. She looked at him, "Ready?"
He nodded.
She chuckled, "If you need to yell, go ahead." He glared at her for even suggesting it.
Using her wand and the cotton squares, she managed to clean out the wound. It thankfully wasn't very deep anymore, and probably didn't hurt much. She looked up at Severus. "How you doing?" He tried to look almost bored. "Fine." He relied monotonely through clenched teeth. He wasn't sure if he succeeded.
"This is the not-so-nice part." She warned selecting a vial from the table behind her. She thrust her hand in his. "Squeeze if it hurts."
"I couldn't--" He began.
"Do it anyway," she snapped, then winked.
"You aren't a nice person tonight." He frowned.
"I'm not nice when my friends have nasty infection that I have to fix. I'll sing the Huki Lau later on if it'll make you like me again." She popped the top off using one hand. "Ready?" It broke her heart to have to do this, even to witness this.
He breathed out heavily, then nodded and closed his eyes.
"Okay." She poured the tiny amount of the liquid onto the open wound. It sizzled and burned and the overwhelming smell of acidy flesh rose up to her.
She watched his face as it blanched and his feature twisted up into a mask of pain. He griped her hand roughly, but she ignored her own pain. She blew briskly on the wound, puffing up her cheeks and deflating them until she was light-headed. Severus' grip eventually relaxed and his eyes opened slowly. She kept blowing lightly over it. "Alright?" She asked as she spread some thick paste directly on top of it. Madam Pomfey had told her that many a grown Wizard couldn't handle that antibiotic and many just straight out fainted on her infirmary floor.
He nodded. She smiled and reached up and messed with his hair. "You're fine," She informed. She quickly bandaged him up. "There." She jumped up to her feet. "Done." She announced.
She offered him a hand up and he lifted himself to his feet. "There is no way in heaven or hell that you're infected any longer," declaring as she cleaned up the soiled cotton and gathered the supplies up in her arms.
"Want a cup of tea now? Or coffee even?" She came out and collapsed on her couch, putting her feet up.
"Georgie, how'd you get to be so knowledgeable at Mediwizardry so quickly?"
"It's tempting to say 'Dark Arts' just to see how you'd react. But I'm a super quick study and I'm a freaking genius," She winked. "I bet you'd forgotten that. Must people do."
"So I had." He paced around the room aimlessly.
Georgie yawned. "Man, I've got bad breath! What did I eat? It's like I licked the floors. Now, I surely would've remembered doing that." She beat Severus to the punch.
Snape looked at his watch. "It's time to do rounds." He was now in the habit of using her word for it.
"You want me to handle them?" Georgie volunteered.
"No, I can do it." He insisted.
"I bet you can."
"You wish to come?" He questioned.
"Wouldn't miss it for the world." She grinned cheesily and they both took off.
Snape left her in middle of rounds as he needed to change and grab his cloak before going. She finished up without incident and wandered slowly back down the dungeons. Georgie called out goodnights and 'Happy Halloweens' to the few lingering Slytherin souls in the Common Room and headed in.
She hadn't got her nightgown back yet, so she changed into one of her spares. This one was just an overly large man's button-down shirt. It was pretty comfortable, but it showed off more knee and thigh than Georgie was comfortable with. She wrapped a blanket around her legs, and brought a fire to life. Georgie had been correct about one thing: The rain started back up as soon as they'd left the Dance.
She was exhausted, and surmised that she'd probably fall asleep before too long. So she took out her little medical knapsack and set it at the end of her couch, beyond her toes and pulled the blanket up to her chin.
Severus reappeared through the fireplace, adjusting his eyes almost instantaneously to the darkness of the room. He'd gotten away hours before he thought he'd be able to thankfully, so he could get at least a little sleep. Georgie was curled up on her couch, one foot dangling over her knapsack. She's clever, he mused. As he yawned and walked around the couch to her. He disentangled her foot from the bag's straps and set it on the table. He wasn't hurt and wouldn't need that for awhile. His side felt like new.
He stood over her for a few seconds before bending over to slide his thin arm underneath her back and another arm beneath her legs. He paused for a second, then lifted her up into his arms. He cradled her back as he stepped towards her room. She shifted and her arms moved around his neck. He didn't move for a minute. But then neither did he. She didn't weigh as much as she always complained she did. She wasn't exactly a feather either, he grimaced at the thought of the dainty ladies who were forever swooning and fainting. Georgie could pick them up over her head and break them in two. So, he over-exaggerated quite a bit. The point was she wasn't too heavy... and she smelled pleasant--like wool and new paper.
He shifted her in his arms and grabbed the door handle and pushed it in. Readjusting her, she seemed to wake up. He froze. Her eyes were still closed, but she snuggled closer. He frowned at this. And entered into her shadowy room.
"Severus, do you dream?" She asked, rather dreamily herself.
"Yes. Always nightmares." He whispered.
"I never dream. I'd wish for nightmares over nothing." Then she was silent.
He walked to the side of the bed and lay her down on top of the covers. He whisked the covers down and over her feet, then tucked them in around her. He stood up over her, then whispered. "I'd rather have nothing over the nightmares."
"Thanks Severus." She garbled.
And he turned his back and strode from the room, closing the door noiselessly behind him.
He sat at his desk in his room and sipped the Brandy. Wine was fine, but this was more potent, he thought as he held the glass up to the candlelight for scrutiny.
Georgie was bugging him. It wasn't her, but rather her role to him. She was a jack-of-all-trades to him.
She was first and foremost his closest friend at the moment. Dumbledore was always like a father, and for the longest time his best friend, but Georgie had uprooted all of that. Severus believed he still might trust the old man's judgement over hers, because of wisdom that comes with age and living and all that, but otherwise...He sighed.
Georgie took the shape of a helpless babe, a nurse, and a motherly figure. Sometimes she'd act like the vixen and taunt him. Other times, like a sister you could share secrets with. For the first time he felt that if she screwed up, he would cover for her. Because he knew she would for him--she was in fact doing so. Minerva had told him about her defending him to other students. At first he'd felt a bit upset--he didn't need nor wish to be defended. But later on, he felt, well, touched that she'd risk things to stand up for him. Honestly he believed it to be a waste of time--students would be students and Severus Snape wasn't about to change his style. And what exactly was she risking? The majority of the students idolized her and they would still do so if she told them the moon was indeed made of green cheese. Still the effort was well meant.
She was his friend and a true one at that. She was insane and caring and spontaneous. He always wondered how she managed to drag him into her hair-brained schemes unwittingly. He felt he couldn't help himself. He had fun with her and laughed more with her than he did in all the previous years combined. Felt younger and worried less bout life and death--not that he was old. He was still considered young by Wizarding standards.
When Orris McDade was caught and Dumbledore had just arrived at the room above the Leaky Cauldron, the woman had been secured to a chair and she was hissing and screaming--trying to bite at him like a tiger. Severus was repulsed. She called the two men every insulting name she could think of, but they ignored her as they prepared the Veritaserum. But when she mentioned the 'bitchy nit, Georgie,' Severus had spun around and almost struck her. It was at that moment that he feared for her sitting alone in that room at Hogwarts if Orris' anger towards her was what he thought it to be. Dumbledore looked on as he sent the second owl of the night to Hogwarts.
He felt like how he did with Harry. He owed it that the boy would make it to see adulthood. He owed to Georgie that her association with him wouldn't end up getting her killed. It was a sort of life-debt. His new fuller life for her continued full life, probably a selfish exchange, he pondered as he set his glass down. At least selfish reasons behind them.
He thought too much, he told himself as he stood, crossed the room and slipped out of his robes and into his black drawstring pants. He thought too much about relationships. She was fine, he was fine, everyone was damned fine. He needed to stop reading Muggle psychology books. He was beginning to find hidden meanings in the simplest and most innocent of things.
He flicked his wand and the fire went out with a poof. He made his way to his bed easily in the dark and climbed in, drawing the curtains around him. He was exhausted, as always, but hesitant to go to sleep. He'd told her truthfully. The nightmares came at night. And they were hideous. And getting worse.
He closed his eyes.
The first thing he heard in the morning was Georgie in the next room strumming her guitar and singing wildly. It's like living with a hyperactive toddler. Does she ever go to sleep?
"Georgie, could you be a little quieter?" He called out irritably.
"No." She hollered back cheekily.
A few seconds later he heard his own door open and footsteps stepping across his room.
"Is this still a nightmare?" He said as he slung his pillow over his head.
Abruptly she cast open the curtains at the foot of his bed. She crawled slowly up and sat on his toes. "Good morning, Sleepy Snape." She grinned down and shook his pillow covering his face.
"I hate you!" He snarled, muffled by the pillow.
"I bet you do. But wait--there's more! Let's see what else our lovely contestant has won!"
Drawing something plate-sized and covered by a napkin from behind her back she placed it on the side of the bed that Severus didn't sleep on.
"That's right! Out resident snoozer has won--Breakfast in Bed! Or rather, on the Bed--but not directly. If it were in the bed his jammies would smell like bacon..."
"Georgie," He whined, but she cut him off.
"But wait there's more! He gets a good morning song!" She reached down behind her and leaning against one of the posters was her guitar, which she lifted to her lap.
"Georgie!" He almost shrieked.
I think I'll go for a walk outside now,
The summertime's calling my name, I hear it now.
I just can't stay inside all day;
I've got to get out, gimme some of those rays.
Everybody's smiling, sunshine day,
Everybody's laughing, sunshine day,
Everybody seems so happy today in the sunshine day.
She stopped, "That's all I've learned so far." And set the instrument aside.
"Yes, why don't you 'go for a walk outside.' Now!" He bellowed.
"Lastly, I give you sunshine!" She announced as she flung back the curtains on his bed and wrestled the pillow away from him. He growled at her, as he attempted to shield his eyes from the light.
"The sunshine was the hardest one to get..." she whispered in mock confidentiality.
Severus slowly opened his eyes to the sunshine. It was pleasant enough. "What time is it? He mumbled.
"After one. Good Afternoon!"
"I hate you," he glared at her.
"That's lovely. Now eat the stupid food and get dressed already. I'm bored." She vaulted off the end of the bed and shut the door as she ran back out through it.
Several minutes later Severus stepped into the lounge holding her forgotten guitar up to her. She grabbed it up. She was wearing shorts he saw. "Why're you wearing shorts?" He pointed at her legs distractedly.
"Wanna go surfing?"
He blinked at her. "No."
"Come on it'll be such fun. You'd love it." She pleaded. "I know just the place.... Really it's better for body boarding--the waves usually suck. But it'd be a new experience."
He shook his head. He didn't feel up to getting his head dashed on the rocks just yet today, thank you. Snape flung his hands at her, trying to shoo her or the idea out of his mind. He pushed past her and out into the Common Room. She followed him all the way out into the hallway. He entered the passageway to the kitchens.
"See I told you you'd get a good use out of this thing." She motioned the walls around them.
He looked back at her sharply and his eyes narrowed. "You haven't got anything on your feet."
"People have died from lesser things."
"You could get sick...."
"And where would that leave you?" she harassed. "While we're speaking hypothetically, monkeys could fly out of my arse too."
"That is disgusting."
"Well, that's a step up from my being disgusting. Now, come on," She tugged at his sleeve as he hurried forward. "It'll be fun. It's Sunday, and you don't need to go out tonight. I'll even get the house-elves to pack us a dinner or something."
He ignored her as he stepped cautiously from the passageway, checking all about him to see if they'd been spotted. Georgie trampled straight through, nosily and heedless to any one watching. He grabbed her elbow and led into the passageway behind the painting. Severus greeted the elves curtly and went over to barked out something about coffee. Georgie wrinkled her nose up and wondered when he started drinking that; she'd stopped with that nasty stuff weeks ago.
When Severus finally had gotten his strong coffee, he placed it flatly in his palms and marched across to the girl sitting on the stool watching him. "I don't want to embarrass myself." He spat at her.
"Severus Snape, stop being such an imbecile. We won't be seen--and I'll teach you how.... Come on. You're talking to the Queen of Making an Ass Out of Herself here. Do you think I'll care? Really?"
He shook his head and looked into his dark cup and drank deeply from it.
He sighed. "I suppose. But you plan everything, I don't even want to think today." He rubbed his temple.
"Woo-hoo!" She raved. Then she took off at a run out of the kitchens.
Severus sighed and shook his head disapprovingly. "Do you think I'm not being sharp?" He quizzed a house-elf bustling by.
"I think Sir is daft." Snape nodded at this and drained his cup.
Severus sat in the study alone later that night, sipping tea and staring into the flames of the fire. The rain hadn't return...yet. He sneered. It was so quiet now. He heaved a sigh. Georgie was visiting Hagrid or Minerva or Pomfrey or Sprout--he couldn't be bothered to keep it all straight. The point was she was out.
The day had been long. He furled his brow hard at the remembrance. Georgie had been correct--the body boarding was exhilarating. It took a certain degree of skill and he felt he'd improved by leaps and bounds by the time the sun had begun to set. She was a patient teacher. But her mouth was always running away from her. She picked on something or other about him or his habits--he didn't even remember what it was, he growled bitterly. It had set off a chain-reaction of biting remarks and bickering. The day had been lovely until then.
He drank the tea and let it's warmth soothe him for the inside. He of course couldn't shirk responsibility either--he couldn't just let a comment or a look go without some barb from him, could he? But he didn't dwell on it too long. It was, after all, how he was and how he'd always been. People don't change like that. They'd made amends soon afterwards and Georgie had probably forgotten it had even happened. She just let these things roll off of her back.
Severus set the cup lightly down on the smooth table and stared at it intently for a few minutes. Next to it lay a bundle marked for Georgie from his house-elf Cassy. It was her nightgown. There was also a bit of Banana Bread and two water guns affixed to the top of it--it'd taken two owls to carry. Cassy always was sentimentally foolish.
He waved his arm and the dirty cup disappeared. He looked to his watch, and as he saw it was early yet, he decided to pay Dumbledore a visit. He stiffly rose from his sofa and tenderly massaged his back and neck for a moment. Along with the exhilaration of the body boarding, came also the sore muscles inherent in such athletic endeavors. He was selfishly proud to have spied his young friend Georgie massaging her own neck in such a way. Not that he enjoyed seeing her aching, but he was glad to know that he wasn't so far out of the game as one would assume.
He glided outside and in the direction of the Headmaster's office. He caught two Gryffindors trying to escape him at the end of the corridor. He bellowed at them and they halted, frozen in their tracks. He grinned maliciously at them. Always Gryffindors. He sent them directly back to their tower minus 30 points. He did get some slight, sick pleasure in wielding the power over these kids. Georgie had suggested that this could stem from his feeling out-of-control in his own life, being at the beck and call of a murdering psycho. She'd said it almost light-heartedly, like she were getting used to the fact that he was who he was and he did what he did. It bothered him. Both the suggestion and the ease with which she spoke of it, but why shouldn't she be used to it? Would he prefer that she cower in fear of 'You-Know-Who' like the rest of the world? Or that she deny the realities of life? He had finally replied that, no, he just thought he was a sadist or something...
He wasn't in a very pleasant mood, and he growled the password to Dumbledore's offices, his robes billowed out behind him as he attacked the stairs. Dumbledore stood twiddling his thumbs beaming on him. "I thought that might be you. Come inside. I'd enjoy a game of chess." He ushered the towering man inside the door. Severus found his usual seat at the chessboard.
The old man called out, "Care for some tea Severus?" Snape declined politely, but sat scowling at the blank wall opposite him. He then took that opportunity to set up the board.
The Headmaster returned a minute later with his own cup in hand. "I've missed having you up here so often," as he sat down carefully.
"I apologize."
Dumbledore looked to the board and moved first.
Severus leaned forward, and perched over the board and quickly moved his piece.
Dumbledore remarked, "The game is always easiest at the beginning. Motives are clearer; Where to move is blatantly obvious." He picked up his piece. "It's later on that it gets.... complicated..."
Snape stared down his nose at the man. Then turning to the game, he paused only momentarily to decide between two pawns, before plucking one up and setting it forward.
"So, Severus. How do your classes fare?" He sat hunched over the board and didn't look at the younger man.
"The students are morons. Some more than others of course," He sneered. "It's a rare day indeed where there's not an injury or disaster. They don't now, nor will they ever take the subject seriously."
"That's not true. Why I happen to know of several Hufflepuffs that seemingly enjoy your lessons." Dumbledore pointed out.
"Albus, they're Hufflepuffs." He said pointedly. The old man nodded his understanding. "The Gryffindors and Slytherins are both appalling." It was ironic that the two furthest separated houses would share this attribute. The Gryffindors hated Potions--and Snape--because the Professor favored his house. The Slytherins didn't care a whit for the subject and it's work for probably for the exact same reason
Dumbledore gave a hiccup of laughter. "I had a conversation with two young Slytherins who seem to think you're not as gruesome as they once believed you to be." Severus met the man's eyes.
"Oh really?" He asked unexcitedly.
"The Malones."
Severus rolled his eyes, "Siobhan and Niamh?"
"Yes, they think you're quite, 'cool'." Albus mimicked good-naturedly.
"That just goes to show you what a lack of good sense they both possess." He hissed bitterly.
"Severus, don't think of yourself so lowly. You've managed to show them your better side by some miracle or oversight of yours, why shouldn't they think good of a teacher?"
"Georgie brought it about." He mumbled as he moved his piece.
Dumbledore nodded to himself. "How is she these days? She hasn't come to see me in a long time."
"She's a perfect hellion. But I enjoy her company," Severus eyed the man carefully. "She used to visit you?" He hadn't remembered ever hearing her mentioning his friend.
"Oh, only a few times. Mostly when she was upset with you." Albus taunted lightly. "She told me your favorite animal was a whale. After all these years I never knew that." His eyes twinkled as recognition seemed to dawn on Severus' face.
Severus dismissed that. "In classes she excels beyond anything I've ever seen. You were correct in implementing set challenges for her. She loses interest and motivation quickly." He leaned back in his chair and rubbed his eyes with his palms.
"And the Mediwizardry Training?" Albus pursued.
"She's surpassed even Madam Pomfrey. She knows those textbooks inside out. She's even taken an unhealthy pleasure in mothering over me." He laughed grimly. "I could strangle her."
Albus looked taken aback at her words, and Severus shot him a harsh look. Albus frowned and moved his piece. He quickly took Snape's pawn and set it aside.
"And she doesn't appear to be shirking those duties off? I came to understand that it was to be part of her Potions study?" Albus concentrated on the board.
"No, she's truly possessed on the subject. She's taken quite a responsibility in it. I'm also instructing her on making Lupin's potion this month and the next." He muttered under his breath, "Among other potions..."
Dumbledore heard that, but didn't let on that he'd overheard.
"She does seem to try and look after you." Severus shot his friend a look, but Albus kept on, his eyes twinkling. "No really. Anything to give you an extra free hour, especially a free hour from a certain dance."
Severus looked at the man narrowly, trying to determine if he knew what Severus thought he knew. "Oh? How did you find that out?" Snape demanded.
"Nacho told me." He said simply, setting his hands in his lap.
Snape broke the tension by chuckling mildly. He sighed, "She did try and tell me that that was the bat's name. I didn't really pay her any attention at the time."
"Yes, very little escapes my attention here." Albus was pleased at his friend's formerly rare laughter.
"As always." Severus smirked. He moved his knight forward and took Dumbledore's bishop. "It was, I admit, a part of a scheme between she and myself. I claim full responsibility for that night's festivities."
Albus' eyes twinkled, "I have no desire to revisit that night here tonight with you. Forgotten. Only in my pensieve can I sit back and laugh at the visions of the chaos and fun..." He paused. "But the fact that you'd claim responsibility for it is admirable. It shows real depth of character." He mused.
Severus glowered at his friend, "Albus, spare me."
The old man bowed at this and watched as Snape moved his piece.
Dumbledore sat back in his armchair and cleared his throat poignantly. "I heard from the ministry yesterday about Miss McDade..." Severus sat up stiffly. "Her trial's this week. She's been held in Azkaban up until now and some people are pushing for the Dementor's Kiss. It appears that she's been involved in several other killings in recent days. I'm afraid they're going to make a scapegoat out of her."
Snape blanched, "It'll be no more than she deserves."
Dumbledore was amazed at such sentiment. "I can't believe that of you Severus."
"Why not? She's unrepentant to the end. She tried to kill me. She has killed others, Albus. She tried to kill Georgie with the Firebomb. I hope she rots." He seethed.
"But compare it to your own life. What of mercy?" Dumbledore moved his piece forward.
"Each case is it's own special case--you said that to me, so I'm using it back at you. I was remorseful of my behavior. I don't necessarily wish her to receive the Kiss." He spoke deliberately. "But I feel that as sure as I live and breathe, if she's allowed to return to society someday she'll start up where she left off. I know she's had a Memory Charm performed on her, so of course my own safety isn't the issue."
Dumbledore crossed his arms across his chest. "I disagree."
"You're allowed."
The old man chose his words carefully. "I see this as another personal fight. Another vendetta or a place for revenge. It's probably because she ingratiated herself with you to get close to you. Under the guise of something you revere so highly as romantic attachments."
"That's absurd, Albus. And you know it." Severus' temper was starting to fray.
"No, I'm not so sure it is. Georgie filled your head with wonderful scenes of you and Miss McDade in deep affection for one another. You unwittingly exert yourself to make that an end in the hopeless relationship. When the goal isn't reached, you are let down, feel empty and thus blame the deceiving woman. When really it's as simple as realizing that it was wrong from the get-go. Doomed even before it began."
Snape's eyes flashed, "What would you know of such things?" He snarled, his face livid.
"Severus, calm down. I'm an old man and I've lived for many, many years. And I'm bound to live for many more. I've had my fair share of experiences and dealings with the opposite sex. You almost alone know I was married once." His eyes took on a sad look. "But best yet, I know you. You are always clouded by your own viewpoints and you see what you wish to see. Always the dreamer, Severus. I see this to be true--it's as clear as day to me." He folded his hands in finality.
Severus, glared at his friend for several more minutes, but spoke nothing. He studied the checkered board and rubbed his chin absently before impulsively lifting up his piece and setting it down gently beside a white one.
"I believe what you say is true." Severus uttered lowly. "Still, I feel what I do towards the woman. It might be unjustly amplified, but the truth is she is evil." He sighed, and closed his eyes. "Perhaps she hit too close to home this time."
Albus nodded. He'd gathered that much from the way Severus had panicked in the Leaky Cauldron and sent the note telling Georgie to flee.
The old man tested carefully, "She owes you a lot. If it weren't for you, she'd have been severely burned, she might have died." Snape winced at this. He had managed not to think of his friend lying hurt and burned and in pain...
"Oh, it doesn't matter. She's saved my life so many times, and I've saved hers, it just doesn't matter any longer. Besides my life wasn't worth living." He explained absently.
Albus tried to change the subject. "Mediwizardry is a skill more and more young people will need to be competent in for the coming years. It's unfortunate, but it's becoming somewhat of a necessity. I've been putting it off for as long as I could, but I think at the start of next year we may add Mediwizardry options for older students." He tried to gauge Severus' expression.
"If you're thinking of asking Georgie, go ahead. She's more than competent. Wild and unorthodox, yes, but capable." He sighed, and looked contemptuous. "But I think she's more keen on selling Butterbeers or some other such nonsense."
Albus laughed at that. "So those are her designs then? Good for her. Still I will ask about it come the end of the year, if you don't object?"
"Why should I?"
"No reason whatsoever." He replied affably. "Just don't ruin the surprise."
Their conversation tarried on, and Severus won all three games they played. When Snape excused himself for the night, he silently wondered at how Dumbledore could be so distracted as to always lose the game. But what he didn't realize was that the true 'game' for Dumbledore was their conversations, and Dumbledore always won those.
A/N--Ugh, school....