Don't Stand So Close To Me

Chapter 3

Vacations and Other Horrible Things

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Snape sat at his desk, head in hands. Life was blatantly cruel. Not that he hadn't known this for quite some time, but it seemed all the more so right now. He had never been one to be attracted to women, really. There were more important things, like potions and ... and...and...

Well, like potions. The thought made him cringe. The past week had not been very successful. In fact, it had been an unmitigated disaster. Who knew that a simple Sleeping Draught made by a Potions Master could turn out so horribly wrong? It had taken him an hour to get his skin color back to normal.

She was just a woman! No, worse – she was a girl. And his student!

He sat up suddenly. Of course! Why hadn't he realized? Severus Snape, be attracted to a student of his? It was ridiculous! It had to be a fluke! Clearly, he had made a Longbottom-esque potion, and it had caused him to have this horrible reaction! I have to get to the library!

Snape peered blearily at the clock above Madam Pince's desk. Three o'clock and not a hint of success. From what he could find, there was no way that any of the potions he had made before this – this horrible thing – had happened could possibly have turned into any sort of Love Potion. Therefore, he had to assume that he had somehow created an entirely new potion.

He groaned loudly and sat his head on the table with an unpleasant thunk. Most potion mistakes wore off in about a week and a half. It had been a week – about four more days to go, then.

I can't wait that long! he thought in panic. He'd go stark raving mad! And a lunatic Potions Master wasn't helpful at all.

So the next day, he did something he had never thought would happen.

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"Severus! Good to see you!" Dumbledore beamed from behind his desk. The man in front of him was swaying slightly in exhaustion – never a good sign. Dumbledore waited for his Potions Professor to speak.

"Albus. I..." Snape grimaced, as though he was truly dreading the words that were about to come out of his mouth. "I'd like to request a few days for a vacation." he managed to get out through gritted teeth. He is absolutely insufferable.

Albus's beaming face now resembled a miniature sun.

"Severus! What a wonderful idea! Where are you going?"

"To the Library at West University." he said shortly, still swaying a bit. Dumbledore nodded in interest.

"Well, Severus, I'll make you a Portkey as soon as possible, since I'm sure you have to pack."

Snape nodded, oddly grateful. With the state his was in and the way he had been ruining his potions lately, if he made a Portkey, he's probably end up in America, or some such ghastly place.

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It was the end of dinner that night, and Dumbledore stood to make some – probably cheerful, Snape thought – announcement. He gazed down at his students happily through his spectacles and cleared his throat. The hall immediately quieted.

"It has come to my attention," he said with mock severity, "that all of you have been far too studious thus far this term. Therefore," he said calmly, "I am imposing a mandatory vacation week." The hall erupted in chatter, and he had to raise a hand to continue speaking.

"It will be exactly a week long – you will be expected back this day next week. There is, of course, a list going around for those of you who would prefer to stay at Hogwarts." Dumbledore conjured this list and sent it zooming over to the Hufflepuff table, where it was grabbed eagerly. He smiled down at the Great Hall.

"I will also send another list around for those of you who would like to use the Floo Network to return home. You will, of course, be required to use the fireplace in your common room, and will be chaperoned. Please see me if you have any questions. Enjoy your week!"

Snape's jaw was practically grazing the floor. He sputtered incoherently, which got him nothing but a strange look from Professor McGonagall.

He couldn't believe it. His minor mistake had given the entire school a vacation! Snape could have slapped himself. Damn that Albus! He knew how much this would have upset Snape!

He fled the noise and – ugh – happiness of the Great Hall, opting for quiet and calm as he packed for his – dare he say it? – vacation.

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"Thank you, Headmaster," said Snape stiffly, taking the Portkey from Dumbledore's hand. It was a lovely little charm – for this, there was no need for rusty cans and old newspapers.

"Severus," Dumbledore said calmly, "Do try to be careful!"

Snape really, really did not like that twinkle. A twinkle in the Headmaster's eyes meant bad times for Severus Snape. But he nodded and thanked the Headmaster somewhat grudgingly, trying to keep his mind off the fact that he wouldn't see Hermione for a week.

And after that, he wouldn't care!

Albus looked at his watch and nodded, giving Snape a friendly little wave as the Portkey pulled him to his destination.

He whirled along smoothly for a second or two. The better the wizard who made the Portkey, the smoother the ride was. Dumbledore's Portkeys were spectacularly made – Severus landed on his feet gently. He blinked away the small bit of disorientation –

– and panicked.

This isn't the University Grounds! he thought frantically, as he took in his surroundings. The air was hot and a little sticky, making his robes cling to his body and itch unbearably. The sun was beating down, and he was facing many houses in bright pastels or worn browns. He was standing on sand now, not stone. He heard loud sounds behind him, and turned.

Behind him there was a scene out of his worst nightmares.

He realized with dismay that there were hundreds of scantily clad women – and men, though they were not nearly so terrifying to Snape as the women were – laughing and running behind him. They were playing some sort of game, hitting a white ball over a net. They, at least, seemed to be having a good time. Snape dismissed them as a threat.

He looked further.

And further.

And further.

Further out, he could see the bright blue sky, sun burning his pale skin. But he could also see something else. He could see waves crashing into the sand, carrying with them delighted, shrieking children and laughing adults.

Severus Snape, for the first time in his life, was at a beach.

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A/N - Alright, I put this chapter up ASAP, because k8ebug wouldn't stop nagging me. My muse and I are currently having relationship problems, so I don't know how this turned out. As always, be merciless!

By the way, I keep forgetting the disclaimer, damn me.

I do not own Harry Potter, other characters appearing in the Harry Potter books, or the world of Harry Potter, and am unfortunately not on the receiving end of the public's admiration and money. I do this for f-u-n, something that is not usually allowed. snicker