Chapter Three
Cold Feet
"Did either of you two play
Quidditch?" Minerva asked suddenly.
"Chaser." Davina told her.
"Bit of a beater... I suppose." Slatero admitted, remembering the last
time he'd played, hitting the ground after being hit by a bludger. Not a
pleasant memory.
"Good, you'll find out later." Severus gave a rare smile, which looked
sinister all the same.
"Looking for more referees or something?" Slatero asked.
"Not exactly." Severus said. Davina and Slatero exchanged looks.
When the feast ended, Dumbledore stood up and
the hall silenced.
"Welcome to a new term at Hogwarts. Welcome especially to the new students
and to our new head boy, girl and prefects. Before I tell you about a new
addition to our calendar, I'll remind you that the Forest in the grounds remains
out of bounds. Mr Filch, caretaker would like to remind you all that no magic
should be used between classes in the corridors. Anyone found breaking these
rules will be dealt with accordingly.
Now, onto Quidditch. This year we will be running the house tournament as per
usual, but the heads of house have been discussing plans for something else this
year which will probably prove most entertaining. Over to Madam Hooch."
Near the end of the staff table on the opposite side to Slatero, Davina and
Severus, Hooch stood and beamed at the students.
"This year you will all be invited to several staff Quidditch
matches." There was murmuring amongst not only the students. "We've
yet to finalise the teams, but we hope you'll attend the matches and cheer on
your favourite members of staff." Severus gave a sneer. It was doubtful
anyone would be cheering from anywhere but his house for him. "Each head of
house will captain their team." Hooch continued.
"You two are taken, so don't get tempted." Severus warned quietly.
"You haven't seen him on a broom Severus." Davina hissed.
"He has actually, so shut it." Slatero hissed at her, elbowing Davina
in the ribs. She returned it with a glare.
Slatero walked Davina back to her chambers that
night, well after student curfew.
"I really did miss you." He told her.
"I don't think I've missed anything more." Davina blushed. She kissed
him on the cheek.
"Same for me." She said, there was a pause and then they kissed on the
lips. Slatero broke away a few seconds later. He felt wrong. Davina looked
slightly bemused.
"We can't." He told her, staring downwards.
"You understand don't you?" There was a long pause, Davina holding
both his arms just above the elbows. It was dark and the moonlight barely
penetrated the room.
"Yeah..." She said, almost whispering, she rubbed his arm and closed
the door, leaving him standing in the corridor alone.
"Cold feet still?" The soft dark voice of Severus asked. Slatero's
forehead met the wall, his back to the older man.
"How long have you been standing there?" He asked.
"Enough to see the door close." Slatero turned and saw Severus leaning
against the opposite wall. The sharp potions master looked approachable.
"She still wants to be more than friends."
"That's clear. Drink?" Slatero nodded thankfully and followed Severus
down to his quarters.
"Why are you so scared to go
further?" The head of Slytherin asked, sat on his desk while the younger
teacher who also taught in the dungeons sat on the chair, facing away from him
at right angles. Slatero removed his hat.
"I'm scared, I do admit it. Cold feet is probably right, trouble is, she
keeps asking, hinting, and I'm... I'm just fickle in that
department.""
"I take it you mean the affairs of the heart and not the study of Muggles
or otherwise?" Severus remarked with a hint of a smile.
"Of course."
"As you know, my... shall we say... skills on this subject are rather
limited, but in the interest of the team-."
"Staff generally or are you referring to your Quidditch team?"
"Both. I am prepared to help sort the problem out." Slatero looked up
at the senior professor's face, several feet above his in thanks.
"How you managed to attract someone as beautiful as Davina is beyond me
with that hair." Severus added, finishing his drink, signifying the end of
the conversation.
September 2nd was surprisingly cloudy.
Professor Sinistra reported the clouds arrived at about midnight when she had
been stargazing. The heads of house were distributing timetables to their
houses. Davina and Slatero sat awkwardly, pretending to concentrate on who they
were to teach first and not the previous evening's actions.
"Seventh years for a double lesson. I dread to think how many years'
knowledge they've forgotten." Slatero sighed, breaking the silence between
them.
"At least the previous year's work." Davina agreed, looking at her
timetable. She had generally smaller classes and didn't have to teach first and
second years had the added bonus that with any luck the pupils would be
interested (as they'd chosen to study it). It meant four classes less on average
than Slatero, and Severus, who both taught compulsory studies.
"I shouldn't think your subject was that important with
He-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named gone."
"There are still vampires, trolls, boggarts, werewolves, ogres, pixies,
sprites, yetis..."
"Werewolves?"
"Yes, a werewolf's bit is a serious risk..."
"Vampires, honestly, you're teaching ancient stuff!" Davina exclaimed.
"And in that case, why do you think its compulsory and Muggle studies is
entirely optional?!" Slatero exclaimed, prodding Davina on the nose before
she bit into her piece of toast.
"Professor Quirrell?" A student's voice interrupted. Slatero turned
his head quickly, retracting his finger. Davina bit into her slice of toast with
a crunch.
"Mr Ginsing." A seventh year Gryffindor stood by the table, looking
uncomfortable.
"I've got a lesson with you first thing, but I haven't got my book, have
you got any spares? I'm really sorry, it's just it got snatched." Ginsing
explained, his hands knotted before him in nervousness.
"I may have a spare, although they were reprinted in the last few years...
What do you mean snatched?" Slatero demanded suddenly.
"Some Muggles at Kings Cross, there wasn't anything I could do."
"Err... Slatero..." Davina said, having finished chewing. She handed
him the Daily Prophet. He scanned his eyes down, picking out the words
"School book causes mayhem in the Muggle world."
"Ginsing...!" Slatero raised his voice. "Headmaster's office-
now!"
