DISCLAIMER: Not mine
AN: Thanks to everyone who reviewed, like Jennysalvania and Angelic Hope. Here's the third chapter..hope it satisfies! ************************************************************************
The faculty of Hogwarts shared their student's emotions. After working tremendously hard during the war, and living each day in fear, they were unaccustomed to this sudden change of scenario.
There were some who actually wished that the war was still ongoing, as reverting back to normal life seemed to be very tedious. This was finally acknowledged a month into the school year, when Professor Mcgonagall ran breathlessly into the faculty room.
" What is it Minerva?" asked Madam Pince, who was busily polishing her
broom (which in truth did not need any more polishing).
" Has something happened at last?" This query was from Lupin, the newly appointed DADA teacher. After making himself a hero during the war, Lupin had redeemed himself in the eyes of many.
" Yes, but I doubt that it will be something you want," announced a dry
voice, and Severus Snape stepped out from behind Professor Mcgonagall.
"What happened?"
Professor Mcgonagall had recovered her breath by this time and shuddered.
" Hagrid... has decided to continue with his idea."
" What idea?" said Lupin nervously, observing the sudden looks of
dismay beginning to appear on other's faces.
" No! No, it cannot be! You don't mean the annual Flobberworm Fest do
you?" whispered Professor Sprout in a hushed voice.
"Precisely." Snape replied, sounding glummer than ever.
A collective groan of despair was heard resounding all over the room. Madam Pince dropped her broom and began massaging her temples, while everyone else began thinking of excuses to get out of it.
" If this event is half as bad as it sounds, we're doomed." Said Lupin.
" What's more, he wants the entire school to attend! We can't just send
the students, the teachers (Mcgonagall blanched when she imparted this
information) are required to volunteer!"
" Required? Why required?"
" Dumbledore insists upon it. He claims that he has noticed our gloomy
state of teaching, and thinks that this will liven things up." Snape
said, venomously.
" This has only made it worse! Whatever was Albus thinking? Isn't there
some excuse one can make to get out of it?" Flitwick queried anxiously.
" My dear Professor, Hagrid will be very hurt indeed if he hears about
how averse you are to this important event."
This voice was a deep booming one that caused most of the teachers to jump in shock. Albus Dumbledore stood in the doorway, looking aged, but his eyes hadn't lost their twinkle.
" There is however, one way you can avoid this."
" What is it?" chorused all the teachers.
" Perhaps it has come to your attention that the students seem to be
undergoing the same depression that you are. I believe that some fun and
games are in order."
" You, You, expect us to organize fun and games for the students?" Snape suddenly sounded alarmed.
" No, fun and games amongst yourselves, that will brighten up the lives of the students."
" Albus, what is it you want us to do?" Mcgonagall asked warily.
" Well, disagreements between students are worse than ever. Why don't you
do something to lessen this?"
" Playing referee?" asked Lupin.
" Hardly Remus. Tell me Professors, wouldn't some romance soon put an end to all the quarreling?"
" I'd rather attend the Flobberworm Fest!" snarled Snape.
" Severus, I was not referring to romance between the teachers, that is
entirely up to you. My suggestion was that perhaps we could further some
romantic activity between the various houses."
" I think having a romance with Snape would be easier," muttered Madam Sprout to Madam Pince.
Unfortunately this comment was heard and everyone stifled their sniggers while Snape shot glares at the two teachers.
" Three teachers do not have to attend the Flobberworm fest. Now, who
thinks that they should be one of them?" asked Dumbledore, his lips
twitching slightly.
The entire staff shot up and each teacher began giving reasons for why they should be one of the people that didn't attend. Professor Snape was in the middle of explaining a complicated potion that involved snail liver, when Dumbledore cut him off.
" Why don't we make this a competition? We will come up with some
unlikely couples, and there will be teams of teachers assigned to bring
them together. We will then hold a ball prior to the Flobberworm Fest,
and the team that manages to get a couple to go together, need not
attend the fest."
" I'll bribe them with grades", was the first thought on each teacher's
mind, until Dumbledore made one last announcement.
" The two people have to go willingly, and you are not allowed to tell
them of your bet. As a team, you are only allowed to further relations
between the students. No bribery and NO love potions!"
With this, Dumbledore swept out of the room, leaving one very bewildered set of teachers in his wake.
" Who died and made him Lockhart?" hissed Snape, as he paced across the room.
" Severus, you either choose to participate or go to the Fest. I am
going to charm this goblet to randomly put the teachers into teams. Once
your name is in, you cannot withdraw. Please make your decision now."
Said Flitwick.
Worry and confusion spread across Snape's features. On one hand he had the not so pleasant aspect of having to deal with Hagrid's long explanations on those infernal worms. On the other, he had to compete with the staff to bring two students together. At present, he couldn't decide which one was more nauseating.
" Very well. Place my name in the goblet."
Flitwick did so, and just as he was about to seal the goblet, he paused.
" What about Professor Trelawney? She isn't here right now, but should we include her?"
" No. She said that she was actually anticipating the Fest, because she
sensed some interesting planetary activity on the day." Said Lupin,
while Professor Mcgonagall snorted.
" What about Binns?"
" Ghosts cannot leave the castle, so he is excluded anyway."
Flitwick then sealed the goblet and muttered an incantation. Suddenly the goblet burst open and two slips of paper flew onto the table.
Flitwick enlarged the pieces of parchment so that everyone could see.
TEAM 1: Professors Sprout, Pince and Flitwick.
TEAM 2: Professors Snape, Lupin and Mcgonagall.
Snape turned away, fuming that he had been paired with his worst enemies. He would have preferred the Flobberworm Fest to this any day! Judging from the looks on Mcgonagall and Lupin's faces, they weren't too pleased about the arrangements either. It was then that all three of them chanced to look at Flitwick. He looked triumphant, like he knew that he was going to win this, because the other team had too many differences amongst them.
What Flitwick had underestimated, was the one common point between all the members of the opposing team. All of them loved a challenge. To his amazement, the three proceeded to stiffly acknowledge each other and sit together at a table.
All the six teachers gathered around the center of the room in order to decide who the two couples would be.
" How about Ron Weasley and Hermione Granger? I always see them fighting!" suggested Madam Pince
" Dumbledore said unlikely couples. Granger and Weasley only fight so
that they can make up, if you get my drift."
" Severus! Must you be so vulgar?"
" Lets just decide the couples and get to it shall we?"
" I think a Hufflepuff and a Slytherin would make an unlikely couple,"
said Professor Sprout, teasingly looking at Snape.
Snape coolly glanced back at her and said
" I think a Hufflepuff and ANYONE would make an unlikely couple."
Sprout looked outraged, while Flitwick let out a loud cough.
" Well I think that a Slytherin-"
" Can we just get to business here?" said Mcgonagall, a little testily.
" A Slytherin, and a Gryffindor?" said Lupin very softly.
" Now that is by far the most unlikely couple I have heard of! I have
never seen a Gryffindor interested in a Slytherin!" snapped Snape.
" With good reason!" returned Mcgonagall.
Snape was about to say something when Madam Pince intervened.
" It is settled then. You will specialize in bringing together a
Slytherin and a Gryffindor, and we will match up a Hufflepuff and a
Ravenclaw. We have already decided to pair Justin Finch Fletchley with
Mandy Brocklehurst..or Hannah Abbot with Terry Boot."
" Who will we bring together?" Lupin wondered aloud, voicing the
thoughts on both Snape and Mcgonagall's minds.
" There's always Har-"
" I refuse to have anything to do with Potter!"
" Ro-"
" Or Weasley! Besides, he's with Granger"
" Severus why don't YOU suggest someone then? I personally think that
Harry would make an excellent choice. He did save your life during the
war you know," said Professor Mcgonagall.
The room suddenly quietened, as everyone remembered the war and it had quite a sobering effect.
" I-I thought that this was supposed to take our minds off the war," said Lupin hesitantly.
Snape was lost in thought when suddenly Filch burst into the room.
" Professors! I demand a detention! A sixth year and a seventh year
have been fighting outside, completely disrupting Mrs. Norris's nap."
"Calm down Filch," said Lupin, in a vain attempt to sooth the furious Squib.
" You don't understand Professor! This boy and girl have been doing
this everyday, and I haven't had a moment's rest!"
At the mention of "boy and girl", Snape's ears pricked up.
" Lead the way Filch."
The six teachers slowly followed behind him and as they reached the scene, raised voices could be heard. The two were evidently involved in a very heated discussion.
" I don't think you have any right to call other people WEASEL, when
you are the only one who has actually experienced what it's like being
a rodent!"
" I don't know what you're talking about."
" Does the name Alastor Moody ring a bell?"
There was silence at this, and then Draco thought of his second year and his eyes gleamed.
" I can write though."
"What has that got to do with anything?"
Striking a dramatic pose, Draco put on a high-pitched falsetto and began to sing.
" His eyes are as green as a fresh pickled toad, his hair is as dark as a chalkboard-"
Undaunted, Ginny came back with
" At least I wasn't a crybaby!"
" What?"
It was Ginny's turn to put on a high-pitched voice now.
"Daddy, Daddy, lets kill that Hippogryff, because it cut me on the arm!
But Daddy, I conveniently forgot to tell you that I was the one who
provoked it in the first place."
Draco frowned, and it looked like things were going to get ugly, when they heard footsteps. Immediately the two prepared to flee to class.
" This isn't over Weasley." Draco attempted to be menacing.
" You bet it isn't!" Called Ginny as she ran off in the other direction.
Draco shook his head and walked off, not knowing that the prominent members of the Hogwarts staff had witnessed this whole diatribe with Ginny. Things would probably have turned out very differently if he knew just what was going through their minds.
Meanwhile, Flitwick and his team turned to Mcgonagall, Snape and Lupin, wearing identical grins on their faces. Mcgonagall sighed; Snape wrung his hands, while Lupin again voiced the thought on all their minds.
" Well, we certainly have our work cut out for us!"
*********************************************************************** AN: Presto! And there you have Chapter 3. I hope the reviews continue, because I get pretty discouraged easily. I'll continue with this fic, if I have over 15 reviews by Chapter 6. I don't know if it will be at all influenced by the Harry Potter book coming out this Saturday. That is.unless Ginny dies.* gulps*
AN: Thanks to everyone who reviewed, like Jennysalvania and Angelic Hope. Here's the third chapter..hope it satisfies! ************************************************************************
The faculty of Hogwarts shared their student's emotions. After working tremendously hard during the war, and living each day in fear, they were unaccustomed to this sudden change of scenario.
There were some who actually wished that the war was still ongoing, as reverting back to normal life seemed to be very tedious. This was finally acknowledged a month into the school year, when Professor Mcgonagall ran breathlessly into the faculty room.
" What is it Minerva?" asked Madam Pince, who was busily polishing her
broom (which in truth did not need any more polishing).
" Has something happened at last?" This query was from Lupin, the newly appointed DADA teacher. After making himself a hero during the war, Lupin had redeemed himself in the eyes of many.
" Yes, but I doubt that it will be something you want," announced a dry
voice, and Severus Snape stepped out from behind Professor Mcgonagall.
"What happened?"
Professor Mcgonagall had recovered her breath by this time and shuddered.
" Hagrid... has decided to continue with his idea."
" What idea?" said Lupin nervously, observing the sudden looks of
dismay beginning to appear on other's faces.
" No! No, it cannot be! You don't mean the annual Flobberworm Fest do
you?" whispered Professor Sprout in a hushed voice.
"Precisely." Snape replied, sounding glummer than ever.
A collective groan of despair was heard resounding all over the room. Madam Pince dropped her broom and began massaging her temples, while everyone else began thinking of excuses to get out of it.
" If this event is half as bad as it sounds, we're doomed." Said Lupin.
" What's more, he wants the entire school to attend! We can't just send
the students, the teachers (Mcgonagall blanched when she imparted this
information) are required to volunteer!"
" Required? Why required?"
" Dumbledore insists upon it. He claims that he has noticed our gloomy
state of teaching, and thinks that this will liven things up." Snape
said, venomously.
" This has only made it worse! Whatever was Albus thinking? Isn't there
some excuse one can make to get out of it?" Flitwick queried anxiously.
" My dear Professor, Hagrid will be very hurt indeed if he hears about
how averse you are to this important event."
This voice was a deep booming one that caused most of the teachers to jump in shock. Albus Dumbledore stood in the doorway, looking aged, but his eyes hadn't lost their twinkle.
" There is however, one way you can avoid this."
" What is it?" chorused all the teachers.
" Perhaps it has come to your attention that the students seem to be
undergoing the same depression that you are. I believe that some fun and
games are in order."
" You, You, expect us to organize fun and games for the students?" Snape suddenly sounded alarmed.
" No, fun and games amongst yourselves, that will brighten up the lives of the students."
" Albus, what is it you want us to do?" Mcgonagall asked warily.
" Well, disagreements between students are worse than ever. Why don't you
do something to lessen this?"
" Playing referee?" asked Lupin.
" Hardly Remus. Tell me Professors, wouldn't some romance soon put an end to all the quarreling?"
" I'd rather attend the Flobberworm Fest!" snarled Snape.
" Severus, I was not referring to romance between the teachers, that is
entirely up to you. My suggestion was that perhaps we could further some
romantic activity between the various houses."
" I think having a romance with Snape would be easier," muttered Madam Sprout to Madam Pince.
Unfortunately this comment was heard and everyone stifled their sniggers while Snape shot glares at the two teachers.
" Three teachers do not have to attend the Flobberworm fest. Now, who
thinks that they should be one of them?" asked Dumbledore, his lips
twitching slightly.
The entire staff shot up and each teacher began giving reasons for why they should be one of the people that didn't attend. Professor Snape was in the middle of explaining a complicated potion that involved snail liver, when Dumbledore cut him off.
" Why don't we make this a competition? We will come up with some
unlikely couples, and there will be teams of teachers assigned to bring
them together. We will then hold a ball prior to the Flobberworm Fest,
and the team that manages to get a couple to go together, need not
attend the fest."
" I'll bribe them with grades", was the first thought on each teacher's
mind, until Dumbledore made one last announcement.
" The two people have to go willingly, and you are not allowed to tell
them of your bet. As a team, you are only allowed to further relations
between the students. No bribery and NO love potions!"
With this, Dumbledore swept out of the room, leaving one very bewildered set of teachers in his wake.
" Who died and made him Lockhart?" hissed Snape, as he paced across the room.
" Severus, you either choose to participate or go to the Fest. I am
going to charm this goblet to randomly put the teachers into teams. Once
your name is in, you cannot withdraw. Please make your decision now."
Said Flitwick.
Worry and confusion spread across Snape's features. On one hand he had the not so pleasant aspect of having to deal with Hagrid's long explanations on those infernal worms. On the other, he had to compete with the staff to bring two students together. At present, he couldn't decide which one was more nauseating.
" Very well. Place my name in the goblet."
Flitwick did so, and just as he was about to seal the goblet, he paused.
" What about Professor Trelawney? She isn't here right now, but should we include her?"
" No. She said that she was actually anticipating the Fest, because she
sensed some interesting planetary activity on the day." Said Lupin,
while Professor Mcgonagall snorted.
" What about Binns?"
" Ghosts cannot leave the castle, so he is excluded anyway."
Flitwick then sealed the goblet and muttered an incantation. Suddenly the goblet burst open and two slips of paper flew onto the table.
Flitwick enlarged the pieces of parchment so that everyone could see.
TEAM 1: Professors Sprout, Pince and Flitwick.
TEAM 2: Professors Snape, Lupin and Mcgonagall.
Snape turned away, fuming that he had been paired with his worst enemies. He would have preferred the Flobberworm Fest to this any day! Judging from the looks on Mcgonagall and Lupin's faces, they weren't too pleased about the arrangements either. It was then that all three of them chanced to look at Flitwick. He looked triumphant, like he knew that he was going to win this, because the other team had too many differences amongst them.
What Flitwick had underestimated, was the one common point between all the members of the opposing team. All of them loved a challenge. To his amazement, the three proceeded to stiffly acknowledge each other and sit together at a table.
All the six teachers gathered around the center of the room in order to decide who the two couples would be.
" How about Ron Weasley and Hermione Granger? I always see them fighting!" suggested Madam Pince
" Dumbledore said unlikely couples. Granger and Weasley only fight so
that they can make up, if you get my drift."
" Severus! Must you be so vulgar?"
" Lets just decide the couples and get to it shall we?"
" I think a Hufflepuff and a Slytherin would make an unlikely couple,"
said Professor Sprout, teasingly looking at Snape.
Snape coolly glanced back at her and said
" I think a Hufflepuff and ANYONE would make an unlikely couple."
Sprout looked outraged, while Flitwick let out a loud cough.
" Well I think that a Slytherin-"
" Can we just get to business here?" said Mcgonagall, a little testily.
" A Slytherin, and a Gryffindor?" said Lupin very softly.
" Now that is by far the most unlikely couple I have heard of! I have
never seen a Gryffindor interested in a Slytherin!" snapped Snape.
" With good reason!" returned Mcgonagall.
Snape was about to say something when Madam Pince intervened.
" It is settled then. You will specialize in bringing together a
Slytherin and a Gryffindor, and we will match up a Hufflepuff and a
Ravenclaw. We have already decided to pair Justin Finch Fletchley with
Mandy Brocklehurst..or Hannah Abbot with Terry Boot."
" Who will we bring together?" Lupin wondered aloud, voicing the
thoughts on both Snape and Mcgonagall's minds.
" There's always Har-"
" I refuse to have anything to do with Potter!"
" Ro-"
" Or Weasley! Besides, he's with Granger"
" Severus why don't YOU suggest someone then? I personally think that
Harry would make an excellent choice. He did save your life during the
war you know," said Professor Mcgonagall.
The room suddenly quietened, as everyone remembered the war and it had quite a sobering effect.
" I-I thought that this was supposed to take our minds off the war," said Lupin hesitantly.
Snape was lost in thought when suddenly Filch burst into the room.
" Professors! I demand a detention! A sixth year and a seventh year
have been fighting outside, completely disrupting Mrs. Norris's nap."
"Calm down Filch," said Lupin, in a vain attempt to sooth the furious Squib.
" You don't understand Professor! This boy and girl have been doing
this everyday, and I haven't had a moment's rest!"
At the mention of "boy and girl", Snape's ears pricked up.
" Lead the way Filch."
The six teachers slowly followed behind him and as they reached the scene, raised voices could be heard. The two were evidently involved in a very heated discussion.
" I don't think you have any right to call other people WEASEL, when
you are the only one who has actually experienced what it's like being
a rodent!"
" I don't know what you're talking about."
" Does the name Alastor Moody ring a bell?"
There was silence at this, and then Draco thought of his second year and his eyes gleamed.
" I can write though."
"What has that got to do with anything?"
Striking a dramatic pose, Draco put on a high-pitched falsetto and began to sing.
" His eyes are as green as a fresh pickled toad, his hair is as dark as a chalkboard-"
Undaunted, Ginny came back with
" At least I wasn't a crybaby!"
" What?"
It was Ginny's turn to put on a high-pitched voice now.
"Daddy, Daddy, lets kill that Hippogryff, because it cut me on the arm!
But Daddy, I conveniently forgot to tell you that I was the one who
provoked it in the first place."
Draco frowned, and it looked like things were going to get ugly, when they heard footsteps. Immediately the two prepared to flee to class.
" This isn't over Weasley." Draco attempted to be menacing.
" You bet it isn't!" Called Ginny as she ran off in the other direction.
Draco shook his head and walked off, not knowing that the prominent members of the Hogwarts staff had witnessed this whole diatribe with Ginny. Things would probably have turned out very differently if he knew just what was going through their minds.
Meanwhile, Flitwick and his team turned to Mcgonagall, Snape and Lupin, wearing identical grins on their faces. Mcgonagall sighed; Snape wrung his hands, while Lupin again voiced the thought on all their minds.
" Well, we certainly have our work cut out for us!"
*********************************************************************** AN: Presto! And there you have Chapter 3. I hope the reviews continue, because I get pretty discouraged easily. I'll continue with this fic, if I have over 15 reviews by Chapter 6. I don't know if it will be at all influenced by the Harry Potter book coming out this Saturday. That is.unless Ginny dies.* gulps*