Another Chance
Disclaimer: This story is based on characters and situations created and owned by JKR, various publishers of the HP series. No money is being made and no copyright or trademark infringement is intended.
Chapter 7 – Detentions (uploaded 12/11/03)
McGonagall knocked on the door to Snape's chambers. Rousted out of bed, he chose to answer the door personally, rather than to command it open. With a wave of his wand, he was dressed for the day, choosing a black robe out of habit. It made sense to him, too, because he didn't have a chance to use the bathroom and the billowy robes hid his morning stiffness. "Minerva, what are you doing here? Is something wrong?"
"The only thing wrong is your robes. Change out of those old things this instant, young man." Her voice was stern, but her eyes and the smile on her face told a different story. He was at least grateful for the chance to go to the bathroom. He went into his closet and grabbed another robe before disappearing behind another door for his morning routine.
"I ask again, Minerva," Snape called from the other side of the bathroom door, "why are you here? Surely you didn't come to the other side of the castle just to criticize my wardrobe."
"Albus is busy today. I would like you to accompany me into Hogsmeade today. We can shop for new robes for the dance this Friday."
Snape emerged from the bathroom looking more refreshed. He had changed into olive green robes with gold trim. "I have more research to find an antidote for Lupin today." Yes, that sounded like a good excuse. Hopefully, he had delivered it believably by leaving out his customary sneer. "I still need to prepare tonight's final dueling lesson. I want to put up a formidable team for the competition. You understand, Minerva."
"I'm not worried about the competition. What are you wearing to the dance?"
"I hadn't thought about it," Snape growled.
"That settles it, we are going to buy you new robes for the dance. Something a bit more form fitting to display your footwork. Those old black robes you're so fond of hide the polish you keep so well on your boots."
"But my research," he argued.
"Go to the library straightaway. I'll get Miss Granger out of detention and send her to you. We'll have breakfast tea in Hogsmeade. Get going."
"Bossy boots," Snape snarled as she walked down the hallway. Minerva turned around and blew him a kiss.
~ ~ ~
Saturday morning Gryffindors and Slytherins who were in the Potions classroom the day of the accident were rousted from their sleep at 7am. They were given a half hour to get to the great hall and another half hour to quickly eat their breakfasts. Slytherins gathered in front of Hagrid's hut and Filch met the Gryffindors at their table.
Normally, Saturday breakfasts were a leisurely affair, allowing students to wake up at their own time. Breakfast foods would remain fresh on their house table all morning, changing to sandwiches by lunch time. This day, one of the house tables was set up as a buffet line and two of the house tables were available for student use. Gryffindors were set to work on the fourth table, first scrubbing them clean and removing anything that might be stuck to the under side. Then they were to sand the tables smooth so that Mr. Filch, the castle caretaker, could apply a smooth coat of magical varnish.
Ron grumbled as he worked on a bench, "Why can't we do this with magic?" Harry gave a silly grin as he closely inspected some of the writing scratched into the bench he was working on.
"Because, hand finished work will look much nicer when it's finished," Hermione said in her know-it-all voice.
"Hey, mates," Harry ran his finger on the writing, "help me make this out. It's a heart. I can make out 'Severus' but not the name above the plus symbol. It was under the first coat of paint."
Ron went over, "Whoa! Someone loved Snape?"
"Has this always been the Gryffindor table?" Hermione inquired. Everybody who looked on shrugged.
"I wish Professor Dumbledore were here to ask," Harry whispered.
Filch stomped over, "What's going on 'ere? Everybody get back to work." Harry slid his leg over the engraving and sanded the end of the bench.
As soon as Filch turned around to attend to another clique, the trio once again had their heads together over the heart on the bench. Hermione rubbed the illegible name lightly with her cleaning solution. "All I can make out is an 'I', no, it's an 'L.' First letter is definitely an 'L.' Unfortunately the rest looks like it's been scorched away. Sorry, Harry."
"You three," Filch yelled from the other side of the table, "break it up this instant."
Back at his bench, Ron whispered, "Ask Remus when you see him again. He might know." Harry nodded. Hermione whispered in his ear, "Ron scares me when he makes sense." They laughed out loud, which got Filch's attention, once again.
"Okay, that's it for you two," Filch hissed. His thoughts were interrupted by Professor Flitwick, acting Headmaster. Minnie Stewart stood next to him.
"Miss Granger," Flitwick called, "you may finish detention in the library. Mr. Marston is waiting there to give you instruction. Please go immediately."
"Yes, sir," Hermione called as she gathered her belongings and ran off to the library.
~ ~ ~
The Slytherins group picked up their shovels, picks, and carts and were led into the forest by Hagrid and Professor Sprout. In two smaller groups, they were shown which saplings to harvest and proper handling techniques. Then they were taken to another part of the forest which looked like it had been burnt away to clear a large area for a meeting. They were shown how to plant the saplings to give it a good start in growth. As the students spread out for their tasks, Malfoy made his way to the edge of the forest. Smirking to his goons, Crabbe and Goyle, he ordered, "Mates, cover for me. I'm taking a break."
As he stood in the shadows, a pale hand came up from behind Draco to cover his mouth and bind his arms down to his sides. He was dragged away while a hoarse voice whispered in his ear, "Shhh, I just want to talk to you."
Away from the detention group, "Father, what are you doing here? You couldn't send me an owl to tell me you were coming?"
"Shut up, I'll ask the questions. First, why are you in detention?"
Draco snorted, "I was putting a hex on Potter when—"
"Stop there," Lucius interrupted with a smirk, "that's all I need to hear about that. Why is everyone else in the same detention?"
"I happened in Double Potions with Slytherins and Gryffindors. When Potter and I started fighting, our houses backed us up and got into the fight, too."
"Good boy. What's this I hear about dueling competition?"
"We have house tryouts tomorrow evening. Then we train one week as a team for competition next Saturday."
"Has Severus been training you?"
"Professor Snape is on injury leave. Alan Marston has been training the Slytherins in dueling. He's almost as good as the Professor. He says I'm on the team as long as I keep my head and stick to the strategy plan. I still have to try out with everyone else."
"Good, don't screw this up. I'd like to come and watch. Where is Severus hiding?"
"I don't know, sir. We haven't seen him. You can contact him by owl. He's been sending our potions lessons in by owl. He got my get well card that way."
"Your get well card?" Lucius raised an eyebrow.
"I had other Slytherins sign it, but it was my idea to stay on his good side. I didn't send one to Dumbledore, though."
"The mad old coot was injured too?"
"Well, we haven't seen him either. Professor Flitwick is acting Headmaster, but the 'old coot' is still giving the orders." From the clearing, Hagrid started calling Malfoy's name.
Lucius pulled the hood over his head. "You better get back, they've noticed you're missing."
"Coming Professor!" Draco called as he ran back to the detention group.
"Where ya been lad? Skivving on yer work, are ye?"
"No, sir! I wouldn't do that. I was merely answering nature's call to water the big old tree." Lucius watched his son from the shadows and gave a silent snort at his son's cool response.
"All righ' then. Come along, we're moving to another section."
Disclaimer: This story is based on characters and situations created and owned by JKR, various publishers of the HP series. No money is being made and no copyright or trademark infringement is intended.
Chapter 7 – Detentions (uploaded 12/11/03)
McGonagall knocked on the door to Snape's chambers. Rousted out of bed, he chose to answer the door personally, rather than to command it open. With a wave of his wand, he was dressed for the day, choosing a black robe out of habit. It made sense to him, too, because he didn't have a chance to use the bathroom and the billowy robes hid his morning stiffness. "Minerva, what are you doing here? Is something wrong?"
"The only thing wrong is your robes. Change out of those old things this instant, young man." Her voice was stern, but her eyes and the smile on her face told a different story. He was at least grateful for the chance to go to the bathroom. He went into his closet and grabbed another robe before disappearing behind another door for his morning routine.
"I ask again, Minerva," Snape called from the other side of the bathroom door, "why are you here? Surely you didn't come to the other side of the castle just to criticize my wardrobe."
"Albus is busy today. I would like you to accompany me into Hogsmeade today. We can shop for new robes for the dance this Friday."
Snape emerged from the bathroom looking more refreshed. He had changed into olive green robes with gold trim. "I have more research to find an antidote for Lupin today." Yes, that sounded like a good excuse. Hopefully, he had delivered it believably by leaving out his customary sneer. "I still need to prepare tonight's final dueling lesson. I want to put up a formidable team for the competition. You understand, Minerva."
"I'm not worried about the competition. What are you wearing to the dance?"
"I hadn't thought about it," Snape growled.
"That settles it, we are going to buy you new robes for the dance. Something a bit more form fitting to display your footwork. Those old black robes you're so fond of hide the polish you keep so well on your boots."
"But my research," he argued.
"Go to the library straightaway. I'll get Miss Granger out of detention and send her to you. We'll have breakfast tea in Hogsmeade. Get going."
"Bossy boots," Snape snarled as she walked down the hallway. Minerva turned around and blew him a kiss.
~ ~ ~
Saturday morning Gryffindors and Slytherins who were in the Potions classroom the day of the accident were rousted from their sleep at 7am. They were given a half hour to get to the great hall and another half hour to quickly eat their breakfasts. Slytherins gathered in front of Hagrid's hut and Filch met the Gryffindors at their table.
Normally, Saturday breakfasts were a leisurely affair, allowing students to wake up at their own time. Breakfast foods would remain fresh on their house table all morning, changing to sandwiches by lunch time. This day, one of the house tables was set up as a buffet line and two of the house tables were available for student use. Gryffindors were set to work on the fourth table, first scrubbing them clean and removing anything that might be stuck to the under side. Then they were to sand the tables smooth so that Mr. Filch, the castle caretaker, could apply a smooth coat of magical varnish.
Ron grumbled as he worked on a bench, "Why can't we do this with magic?" Harry gave a silly grin as he closely inspected some of the writing scratched into the bench he was working on.
"Because, hand finished work will look much nicer when it's finished," Hermione said in her know-it-all voice.
"Hey, mates," Harry ran his finger on the writing, "help me make this out. It's a heart. I can make out 'Severus' but not the name above the plus symbol. It was under the first coat of paint."
Ron went over, "Whoa! Someone loved Snape?"
"Has this always been the Gryffindor table?" Hermione inquired. Everybody who looked on shrugged.
"I wish Professor Dumbledore were here to ask," Harry whispered.
Filch stomped over, "What's going on 'ere? Everybody get back to work." Harry slid his leg over the engraving and sanded the end of the bench.
As soon as Filch turned around to attend to another clique, the trio once again had their heads together over the heart on the bench. Hermione rubbed the illegible name lightly with her cleaning solution. "All I can make out is an 'I', no, it's an 'L.' First letter is definitely an 'L.' Unfortunately the rest looks like it's been scorched away. Sorry, Harry."
"You three," Filch yelled from the other side of the table, "break it up this instant."
Back at his bench, Ron whispered, "Ask Remus when you see him again. He might know." Harry nodded. Hermione whispered in his ear, "Ron scares me when he makes sense." They laughed out loud, which got Filch's attention, once again.
"Okay, that's it for you two," Filch hissed. His thoughts were interrupted by Professor Flitwick, acting Headmaster. Minnie Stewart stood next to him.
"Miss Granger," Flitwick called, "you may finish detention in the library. Mr. Marston is waiting there to give you instruction. Please go immediately."
"Yes, sir," Hermione called as she gathered her belongings and ran off to the library.
~ ~ ~
The Slytherins group picked up their shovels, picks, and carts and were led into the forest by Hagrid and Professor Sprout. In two smaller groups, they were shown which saplings to harvest and proper handling techniques. Then they were taken to another part of the forest which looked like it had been burnt away to clear a large area for a meeting. They were shown how to plant the saplings to give it a good start in growth. As the students spread out for their tasks, Malfoy made his way to the edge of the forest. Smirking to his goons, Crabbe and Goyle, he ordered, "Mates, cover for me. I'm taking a break."
As he stood in the shadows, a pale hand came up from behind Draco to cover his mouth and bind his arms down to his sides. He was dragged away while a hoarse voice whispered in his ear, "Shhh, I just want to talk to you."
Away from the detention group, "Father, what are you doing here? You couldn't send me an owl to tell me you were coming?"
"Shut up, I'll ask the questions. First, why are you in detention?"
Draco snorted, "I was putting a hex on Potter when—"
"Stop there," Lucius interrupted with a smirk, "that's all I need to hear about that. Why is everyone else in the same detention?"
"I happened in Double Potions with Slytherins and Gryffindors. When Potter and I started fighting, our houses backed us up and got into the fight, too."
"Good boy. What's this I hear about dueling competition?"
"We have house tryouts tomorrow evening. Then we train one week as a team for competition next Saturday."
"Has Severus been training you?"
"Professor Snape is on injury leave. Alan Marston has been training the Slytherins in dueling. He's almost as good as the Professor. He says I'm on the team as long as I keep my head and stick to the strategy plan. I still have to try out with everyone else."
"Good, don't screw this up. I'd like to come and watch. Where is Severus hiding?"
"I don't know, sir. We haven't seen him. You can contact him by owl. He's been sending our potions lessons in by owl. He got my get well card that way."
"Your get well card?" Lucius raised an eyebrow.
"I had other Slytherins sign it, but it was my idea to stay on his good side. I didn't send one to Dumbledore, though."
"The mad old coot was injured too?"
"Well, we haven't seen him either. Professor Flitwick is acting Headmaster, but the 'old coot' is still giving the orders." From the clearing, Hagrid started calling Malfoy's name.
Lucius pulled the hood over his head. "You better get back, they've noticed you're missing."
"Coming Professor!" Draco called as he ran back to the detention group.
"Where ya been lad? Skivving on yer work, are ye?"
"No, sir! I wouldn't do that. I was merely answering nature's call to water the big old tree." Lucius watched his son from the shadows and gave a silent snort at his son's cool response.
"All righ' then. Come along, we're moving to another section."