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.
A/N: Thank you for staying with the story through such a long wait. During duelling practice, my plot bunny got hit by a stray spell from a first year Slytherin (who demands to remain anonymous) and never recovered. It's better than some lame excuse about how my the plot bunny choked and died trying to come up with Slytherin dueling matches, eh? So I said, "screw it, on with the story!"
Chapter 15 – Slytherin Tryouts (uploaded 7/22/04)
Professor Severus Snape ran his team tryouts with his usual efficiency. They were quickly down to the final match to determine who would captain the Slytherin team. Professor Tonks assisted in the preliminary match and together they refereed the last match between Draco Malfoy and Theodore Nott.
"Take your positions," Snape commanded. He nodded at Malfoy, and received a nod in return. Slytherin's head of house turned to Nott and nodded. Nott nodded back, signaling that he was ready.
Malfoy stepped out from behind his barrier with a confident smirk. Nott came out with a sneer. As soon as the buzzer sounded, Malfoy fired a stinging hex at Nott's knee. Nott jumped and was hit on the foot. DING! "Point Malfoy!" the announcer called. Theodore limped for cover behind the closest tree, while Draco apparated onto a tree limb above him. Nott peered out from behind the tree trunk and searched for the platinum blond Head Boy.
Everyone in the stands pointed at Draco in the tree and were yelling their heads off, but the contestants couldn't see or hear the audience from behind the magical fence, which also kept all magic within the arena. Draco fired another stinging hex into Nott's back. DING! "Point Malfoy! Two, Zero."
Frustrated, Nott called a blinding sunlight spell, which illuminated the whole arena from the tip of his wand. Snape held his hand up to shield his eyes, but Tonks pulled a pair of dark sunglasses from her pocket. Nott fired stinging hexes in the direction of his last hit and stopped when he heard someone yelp in pain. DING! "Point Nott," the female voice called. "Two, One," called the original announcer.
Snape looked over at Tonks and raised an eyebrow at the bleach blonde auror behind the dark shades, but activity back in the ring refocused his attention. Nott and Malfoy were practically nose to nose, circling each other in the middle of the ring. Malfoy was taunting his opponent and Nott was visibly fuming. Steam was literally coming out of his ears, as if he had taken pepperup potion.
Snape quieted the giggling and taunting from the stands with one glaring sweep of his eyes. Nott pushed his skinnier opponent to the ground with his free hand. Malfoy hooked the standing Slytherin behind his knee with one of his legs and hooked an ankle with his other leg, causing Nott to fall forward onto his face. Malfoy was ready to follow up with his stinging hex. DING! "Point and match. Malfoy wins three points to one."
Instantly the magical barriers were lifted and the audience could be seen and heard from the contest area. Malfoy helped Nott to his feet, they shook hands and waved to the audience. Malfoy victoriously held his hands over his head and bowed to the people in the stands.
The announcer listed the qualifying team, "The Slythterin team will be Draco Malfoy as captain, Theodore Nott, and Blaise Zambini. Pansy Parkinson will serve as alternate. Thank you for coming, please follow Professor Tonks back to the castle."
----- ooOoo -----
Professor Snape hung back to round up anyone who lingered behind. Malfoy was rather slow to get his things together. "Are you injured Mr. Malfoy?" Snape drawled.
"No, sir. My father is here watching. I think he wants to congratulate me." Draco replied.
Snape's eyes quickly scanned the trees and focused on the black robe that stepped out from behind the bush. "Make it quick, Malfoy, the other professor is an auror on temporary assignment."
"Really, Severus, the company you keep is declining in your old age," Lucius quipped.
"Get on with your business," smirked the stringy-haired wizard.
"Actually I stayed to see you. Good job, Draco, go on to your little friends," Lucius removed the hood from his head and refluffed his hair.
"Thank you father." Draco masked his emotions. He had expected a bit more praise, but no matter, it was an accomplishment he could use later as leverage once he found something he wanted as payment.
"Wait at the edge of the clearing," Snape told the student, "we'll walk back together to explain our delay."
"Where have you been, Severus?" asked Lucius, watching his son's reaction. "He'll make a fine Death Eater some day."
Snape mentally growled at the statement. "I was under the weather. Did you miss me?"
"I heard it's going around. The Headmaster and Deputy Headmistress are ill, as well?"
"They've got something, all right," Snape snorted in his private humor. "If you've got something planned, do not tell me. I am still a professor here and I am obligated to the safety of the students. Besides, the ancient spells are still in place, as are many more methods of protection. Not the least of which are aurors on the grounds."
As if on cue, Tonks' high pitch voice could be heard calling out. "Draco, go on." Snape turned on his heel and nodded at Draco, who in turn answered the call, "We're here. Just cleaning up a bit." Draco chuckled under his breath, "as if I'd do servant's work."
Snape crossed his arms as the temporary professor made her appearance. "Ah, there you are. All finished here, then?" Lucius had made his getaway.
Snape stalked past her with Draco in his wake. Tonks took a quick look around before running to catch up. "Is there a problem, Tonks?" Snape asked coolly.
"I have a feeling we're being watched by unfriendly eyes," Tonks answered.
"Yes, well, never underestimate Albus Dumbledore," he snorted.
"I wouldn't call him unfriendly. No, we were taught in Auror training not to ignore a gut feeling." Tonks looked back toward the darkness of the forest. "I have a very strong feeling."
The three were within sight of the castle. Draco interrupted, "Sir? I'm going to run ahead, if it's all right."
"Of course, go on," Snape answered and turned back to Tonks. He walked up behind her until his chest touched her back. "Something else on your mind?"
"Oh, the usual," Tonks answered. "But Mum has been nagging me to get married and start giving her grandkids. She owled me again this morning."
Snape cleared his throat. "You do realize I performed a contraceptive charm before we," Snape's eyes darted left and right, "you know."
Tonks giggled, "So did I, silly. Anyway, I'm glad we have this time to talk privately. I wonder if you could do me a favor and come with me to dinner at Mum's tonight?"
The tall potions professor sighed as his face scrunched around his nose, "I really don't want to."
"Please?" Tonks bounced on her toes. "Pretty please? Just to get Mum off my back, okay?"
"I think I'd rather turn myself to Azkaban in as a Death Eater," Snape deadpanned in deep thought, as he tried to think of a good excuse not to go. He thought, 'I only have to tell Moody. He'll have a good laugh all the way. Yes, I won't even resists if he chooses to hex me.'
Tonks punched him in the stomach, "Hey, I'm talking to you. You didn't hear a word I just said, did you?"
"Sorry, I did not."
"I'll meet you in your quarters tonight at 7 o'clock. I have a portkey to the house. Don't argue." With that, she bounded back toward the castle.
"Dammit, you have a one-night stand and it turns into a lifetime commitment. Damn hormones! That's how I fell to the dark side the first time, all for a woman. That's it, never again. I swear, if I can get out of this, I am never having sex, never ever!" Snape berated himself, though he controlled the volume just in case anyone else was actually listening.
"Never is a very long time," came a soft voice behind him. Snape whipped around to face the owner of that familiar voice, drawing his wand at the same time.
"Ahh-A-Albus!" Snape breathed out. "I was just telling Tonks not to underestimate you."
"You're slipping, Severus," young Dumbledore chuckled.
"Women! If I get out of this alive, I am swearing off of women forever. They're too complicated and even more distracting." The two men turned to walk toward the castle.
"But they're so fun! Is there a problem?"
"Don't you have an errand you need me to run? Something that will take all night, perhaps? I think the Dark Lord is up to something. Death Eaters are running around the Forest."
"No, I'm quite all right. Thank you for asking, though. There's no danger to the school at the moment."
Snape growled, "Albus, if you can't find something important for me to do, I'll have to meet her family."
"Have a nice time, Severus."
"Perhaps the Dark Lord needs me. Lucius and a few other Death Eaters were just here watching the matches. I could still catch up and see if they need my help."
Albus laughed out loud and put his hand on Snape's shoulder, "It has to be done sooner or later, Severus. Just get it over with."
"I hate it when you're right." Just inside the large doors, Snape turned toward his quarters. Dumbledore walked through the Great Hall toward his office.
To be continued...
----- ooOoo -----
Author's Note: Thank you Blue furry elf, Loki Mischief-Maker, Emerald Tabby, Neko Mew Midorikawa, samson for your last reviews and encouragement. I am back to writing and I intend to finish this story, though I don't know how long it will be yet. However, I'm working with a new muse, so the story's going to take a little turn from my original direction.
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.
A/N: Thank you for staying with the story through such a long wait. During duelling practice, my plot bunny got hit by a stray spell from a first year Slytherin (who demands to remain anonymous) and never recovered. It's better than some lame excuse about how my the plot bunny choked and died trying to come up with Slytherin dueling matches, eh? So I said, "screw it, on with the story!"
Chapter 15 – Slytherin Tryouts (uploaded 7/22/04)
Professor Severus Snape ran his team tryouts with his usual efficiency. They were quickly down to the final match to determine who would captain the Slytherin team. Professor Tonks assisted in the preliminary match and together they refereed the last match between Draco Malfoy and Theodore Nott.
"Take your positions," Snape commanded. He nodded at Malfoy, and received a nod in return. Slytherin's head of house turned to Nott and nodded. Nott nodded back, signaling that he was ready.
Malfoy stepped out from behind his barrier with a confident smirk. Nott came out with a sneer. As soon as the buzzer sounded, Malfoy fired a stinging hex at Nott's knee. Nott jumped and was hit on the foot. DING! "Point Malfoy!" the announcer called. Theodore limped for cover behind the closest tree, while Draco apparated onto a tree limb above him. Nott peered out from behind the tree trunk and searched for the platinum blond Head Boy.
Everyone in the stands pointed at Draco in the tree and were yelling their heads off, but the contestants couldn't see or hear the audience from behind the magical fence, which also kept all magic within the arena. Draco fired another stinging hex into Nott's back. DING! "Point Malfoy! Two, Zero."
Frustrated, Nott called a blinding sunlight spell, which illuminated the whole arena from the tip of his wand. Snape held his hand up to shield his eyes, but Tonks pulled a pair of dark sunglasses from her pocket. Nott fired stinging hexes in the direction of his last hit and stopped when he heard someone yelp in pain. DING! "Point Nott," the female voice called. "Two, One," called the original announcer.
Snape looked over at Tonks and raised an eyebrow at the bleach blonde auror behind the dark shades, but activity back in the ring refocused his attention. Nott and Malfoy were practically nose to nose, circling each other in the middle of the ring. Malfoy was taunting his opponent and Nott was visibly fuming. Steam was literally coming out of his ears, as if he had taken pepperup potion.
Snape quieted the giggling and taunting from the stands with one glaring sweep of his eyes. Nott pushed his skinnier opponent to the ground with his free hand. Malfoy hooked the standing Slytherin behind his knee with one of his legs and hooked an ankle with his other leg, causing Nott to fall forward onto his face. Malfoy was ready to follow up with his stinging hex. DING! "Point and match. Malfoy wins three points to one."
Instantly the magical barriers were lifted and the audience could be seen and heard from the contest area. Malfoy helped Nott to his feet, they shook hands and waved to the audience. Malfoy victoriously held his hands over his head and bowed to the people in the stands.
The announcer listed the qualifying team, "The Slythterin team will be Draco Malfoy as captain, Theodore Nott, and Blaise Zambini. Pansy Parkinson will serve as alternate. Thank you for coming, please follow Professor Tonks back to the castle."
----- ooOoo -----
Professor Snape hung back to round up anyone who lingered behind. Malfoy was rather slow to get his things together. "Are you injured Mr. Malfoy?" Snape drawled.
"No, sir. My father is here watching. I think he wants to congratulate me." Draco replied.
Snape's eyes quickly scanned the trees and focused on the black robe that stepped out from behind the bush. "Make it quick, Malfoy, the other professor is an auror on temporary assignment."
"Really, Severus, the company you keep is declining in your old age," Lucius quipped.
"Get on with your business," smirked the stringy-haired wizard.
"Actually I stayed to see you. Good job, Draco, go on to your little friends," Lucius removed the hood from his head and refluffed his hair.
"Thank you father." Draco masked his emotions. He had expected a bit more praise, but no matter, it was an accomplishment he could use later as leverage once he found something he wanted as payment.
"Wait at the edge of the clearing," Snape told the student, "we'll walk back together to explain our delay."
"Where have you been, Severus?" asked Lucius, watching his son's reaction. "He'll make a fine Death Eater some day."
Snape mentally growled at the statement. "I was under the weather. Did you miss me?"
"I heard it's going around. The Headmaster and Deputy Headmistress are ill, as well?"
"They've got something, all right," Snape snorted in his private humor. "If you've got something planned, do not tell me. I am still a professor here and I am obligated to the safety of the students. Besides, the ancient spells are still in place, as are many more methods of protection. Not the least of which are aurors on the grounds."
As if on cue, Tonks' high pitch voice could be heard calling out. "Draco, go on." Snape turned on his heel and nodded at Draco, who in turn answered the call, "We're here. Just cleaning up a bit." Draco chuckled under his breath, "as if I'd do servant's work."
Snape crossed his arms as the temporary professor made her appearance. "Ah, there you are. All finished here, then?" Lucius had made his getaway.
Snape stalked past her with Draco in his wake. Tonks took a quick look around before running to catch up. "Is there a problem, Tonks?" Snape asked coolly.
"I have a feeling we're being watched by unfriendly eyes," Tonks answered.
"Yes, well, never underestimate Albus Dumbledore," he snorted.
"I wouldn't call him unfriendly. No, we were taught in Auror training not to ignore a gut feeling." Tonks looked back toward the darkness of the forest. "I have a very strong feeling."
The three were within sight of the castle. Draco interrupted, "Sir? I'm going to run ahead, if it's all right."
"Of course, go on," Snape answered and turned back to Tonks. He walked up behind her until his chest touched her back. "Something else on your mind?"
"Oh, the usual," Tonks answered. "But Mum has been nagging me to get married and start giving her grandkids. She owled me again this morning."
Snape cleared his throat. "You do realize I performed a contraceptive charm before we," Snape's eyes darted left and right, "you know."
Tonks giggled, "So did I, silly. Anyway, I'm glad we have this time to talk privately. I wonder if you could do me a favor and come with me to dinner at Mum's tonight?"
The tall potions professor sighed as his face scrunched around his nose, "I really don't want to."
"Please?" Tonks bounced on her toes. "Pretty please? Just to get Mum off my back, okay?"
"I think I'd rather turn myself to Azkaban in as a Death Eater," Snape deadpanned in deep thought, as he tried to think of a good excuse not to go. He thought, 'I only have to tell Moody. He'll have a good laugh all the way. Yes, I won't even resists if he chooses to hex me.'
Tonks punched him in the stomach, "Hey, I'm talking to you. You didn't hear a word I just said, did you?"
"Sorry, I did not."
"I'll meet you in your quarters tonight at 7 o'clock. I have a portkey to the house. Don't argue." With that, she bounded back toward the castle.
"Dammit, you have a one-night stand and it turns into a lifetime commitment. Damn hormones! That's how I fell to the dark side the first time, all for a woman. That's it, never again. I swear, if I can get out of this, I am never having sex, never ever!" Snape berated himself, though he controlled the volume just in case anyone else was actually listening.
"Never is a very long time," came a soft voice behind him. Snape whipped around to face the owner of that familiar voice, drawing his wand at the same time.
"Ahh-A-Albus!" Snape breathed out. "I was just telling Tonks not to underestimate you."
"You're slipping, Severus," young Dumbledore chuckled.
"Women! If I get out of this alive, I am swearing off of women forever. They're too complicated and even more distracting." The two men turned to walk toward the castle.
"But they're so fun! Is there a problem?"
"Don't you have an errand you need me to run? Something that will take all night, perhaps? I think the Dark Lord is up to something. Death Eaters are running around the Forest."
"No, I'm quite all right. Thank you for asking, though. There's no danger to the school at the moment."
Snape growled, "Albus, if you can't find something important for me to do, I'll have to meet her family."
"Have a nice time, Severus."
"Perhaps the Dark Lord needs me. Lucius and a few other Death Eaters were just here watching the matches. I could still catch up and see if they need my help."
Albus laughed out loud and put his hand on Snape's shoulder, "It has to be done sooner or later, Severus. Just get it over with."
"I hate it when you're right." Just inside the large doors, Snape turned toward his quarters. Dumbledore walked through the Great Hall toward his office.
To be continued...
----- ooOoo -----
Author's Note: Thank you Blue furry elf, Loki Mischief-Maker, Emerald Tabby, Neko Mew Midorikawa, samson for your last reviews and encouragement. I am back to writing and I intend to finish this story, though I don't know how long it will be yet. However, I'm working with a new muse, so the story's going to take a little turn from my original direction.