Alex shrugged into her black work robes and picked up her briefcase. Stepping into the stone corridor, she squared her shoulders resolutely. She'd taken the day off and managed to catch up on paperwork and avoid the other residents of Hogwarts Castle. Except for Poppy Pomfrey checking in to make sure I'd downed my potions, Alex thought ruefully. It had taken a while, but she'd finally managed to convince the school nurse that she didn't need to spend the night in the infirmary. She had had one other visitor yesterday; Rubeus Hagrid. The giant gamekeeper had shown up in the afternoon with a huge bundle of flowers from the greenhouse and a vicious two-headed spitting lizard named Snookums. The little witch chuckled. Hagrid had been under the impression that the lizard was, in his words, 'a cute little feller.' Good old Hagrid.
There he was now, beaming and waving as she entered the great hall. Alex was grateful; the staff and students were reacting normally to her return. Those who usually called out greetings did so, those who were accustomed to casually ignoring her did so as well. Those who habitually sneer at me are sneering, she thought, passing Snape. She rushed through breakfast. The Pepper-up Potion left her feeling slightly wired. She was already at her desk, organizing papers and scrolls into neat stacks when the potions master arrived in the laboratory. Alex stifled an urge to apologize and settled for a casual greeting instead. "Hi."
"Feeling better, Miss Rose ?"
"Um, yeah." So we're back to Miss Rose, are we ? Shit. "Look, Professor, about the other day...I'm sorry. I was a real bitch.
"Yes. You were." He was smirking.
"You didn't have to agree with me." Jerk. She couldn't help but smile. On impulse, she came around the desk and hugged him. "Thanks, Severus," she said simply.
"Er. Um," he replied, returning the embrace awkwardly. She took pity on him and drew back. "Oh, the computer," he remarked, noticing the briefcase. "Hand it over. You've had it for two days; you aren't the only one trying to get work done, you know."
Alex rolled her eyes and relinquished the laptop with a grin. People skills, Severus. We've got to work on your people skills.
------
"Did you hear that, Ethelreda ? Old bat, indeed ! -" "Disgusting lack of manners, the younger generation of wizards -" The two elderly witches tottered down the hall, twin expressions of affronted dignity on their wizened faces. Alex gave the pair a sympathetic smile and added a brief curtsy to attempt to make up for her date's lack of courtesy. Sure enough, as she reached the end of the hall she caught sight of Severus Snape pacing the lobby, a fierce glower darkening his sallow features. He'd washed his hair again, she noticed with approval. He really looks pretty good. I'd love to see him in Muggle clothes. Yeah, like that's gonna happen. Easier to get Hagrid into a Speedo. She laughed out loud at the mental image. Snape turned at the sound. If anything, his glare became a shade more fierce. Alex forestalled his inevitable complaint. "I know, I know, I'm a few minutes late. Sheesh." At least he waited for me this time. Progress. I think. "You really ought to watch your mouth around your elders, Severus," she added. "That crone you just insulted was carrying an alligator purse. I mean a real live alligator purse, with sharp teeth."
Severus rolled his eyes. "The old bat was asking for it," he said shortly. "How did it go ?"
"Clean bill of health," Alex replied breezily.
"Good. That idiot Smythe-Smithers. Potions master for the St. Mungo's pharmacy," he added. "Potions master, my ass. Stale ingredients." His tone was sarcastic. "Unbelievable incompetence is what it is." Alex giggled at the surly wizard's diatribe, then stopped abruptly at his next words. "From now on, I shall brew any medicinal potions you require."
"Oh, no. No, you won't." For cryin' out loud. What a control freak. "The problem's been taken care of, Severus-"
"Oh, yes. Yes I will." He loomed over her to emphasize his words.
Alex looked up at him, resisting the urge to pull his head down to hers for a kiss. He's so sexy. Argh. And so annoying. "We'll argue about it later, Severus." She turned and started walking toward the lobby doors, not giving him a chance to reply. Over her shoulder, she called back, "come on, let's get some dinner; I'm starved."
-----
Diagon Alley; the Leaky Cauldron; corner table at the back. Fish and chips and beer. The atmosphere was casual and relaxed. Severus flashed his coyote smile in response to a remark Alex had just made. About ninety beats per minute. Nice one. She had recently begun rating his smiles in terms of their affect on her heart rate. The evening couldn't be more perfect. Yeah, as long as You-Know-Who doesn't horn in on my date again. Alex glanced across the room and noticed the slender, greying wizard who had inadvertently ended their first date at the Leaky Cauldron. Her lips twitched into a wicked smile. "Oh look, Severus, there's your friend, Larkspur...Lupus..."
"Lupin," he supplied, scowling as Alex caught Lupin's eye and waved. "And he's no friend of mine." She gave Snape a look of wide-eyed innocence as the wizard came over to their table.
"Evening, Severus." He turned toward Alex. She rose to her feet before he could say anything more, holding out her hand.
"Alex. Alex Rose." If I wait for Snape to show some manners and introduce me, we'll be here all night.
"A pleasure to meet you, Miss Rose." They shook hands. His smile was warm and genuine.
"Join us, Mr. Lupin ? Let an American girl buy you a beer ?"
He hesitated a moment before pulling up a chair. "Thanks. Um, a cup of tea would be nice."
They sat in silence while tea was brought and Lupin took his first few sips. Funny. Severus is firing perfect ten glares at both of us, and this guy is about as talkative as a rock, yet I feel comfortable with both of them. Heh. Alex took the opportunity to observe Lupin. He was certainly good-looking despite his haggard appearance. Somebody ought to tell him the grunge look is out, though. His Muggle-style sport coat was patched at the elbows, frayed at the cuffs. As for his jeans, the knees were beyond patching, completely torn. Lupin's hands trembled slightly as he set his teacup down. Recovering alcoholic ? Doesn't quite seem the type. "So, how do you two know each other ?" Alex asked brightly. "Severus has told me so little about you."
"That's probably for the best," the wizard replied with a quick smile, "he and I go way back. We were in the same year at Hogwarts."
Well that would explain the animosity. These two would have been at opposite ends of the high school social spectrum. "I'm working at Hogwarts," Alex supplied. "Teaching assistant."
"It's a wonderful place, isn't it ?" Abruptly, Lupin stood. "I'd love to stay and talk, but I'm afraid I have to meet someone." He glanced at Snape. "The usual thing," he said, cryptically.
"Good," Severus sneered. "Wouldn't want to forget again, now, would we ?"
Lupin ignored the comment. "It's been a pleasure, Miss Rose. Thanks for the tea."
Alex waited until the shabby wizard was out of earshot. She was curious about him. But then again, I do have other things on my mind. "Well, Severus, your choice. Another interrogation, or window shopping ?"
"You call that a choice ?" She giggled heartlessly, unfazed by his surly expression. "Oh, very well," he sighed theatrically. He stood and pulled out her chair for her. "Let's get it over with."
Window shopping in the chill autumn air provided an excellent excuse to snuggle close under the potion masters' voluminous black cloak. They strolled along the narrow street under cheery lamplight, passing the occasional group of wizards or witches out for a night on the town. "See, this isn't so bad," Alex insisted. They had paused in front of a shop window filled with hats. Several of them tipped themselves at the couple. Severus wrapped his arms around her. She returned his embrace, leaning against him contentedly.
"It's late, and you're getting cold," he lectured. "We really should get back."
"No." Snape raised his eyebrows, then let out a snort of laughter at her imitation of his abrupt manner. She grinned up at him, then suddenly grew serious. "It's Friday, Severus. You know, what Muggles call the weekend ? I don't want to go back to Hogwarts before Sunday afternoon at the earliest." He looked down at her, eyes glinting. Abruptly, he pulled her into the darkened doorway of the closed shop and stooped to kiss her. She responded eagerly. Alex gasped as he tangled a hand in her hair, pulling her head back. His other hand caressed her roughly, drawing her close. They were both trembling when he released her. "Um. I think we'd better get a room," she suggested shakily.
Severus sighed. "Oh, I suppose so. If we must," he said, his voice filled with reluctance. She blinked up at him, confused. He grinned wickedly. "Since there aren't any graveyards close by," he elaborated.
"You are such a bastard. I don't know why I put up with you."