Disclaimers 'n' Stuff:
I do not own these characters, nor did I create the universe in which they live or the magic that they use. All I do is flesh them out a little.
I am also very much NOT British in any way, shape, or form, so if I'm not entirely accurate with anything, I apologize in advance. I do have one Brit friend (thanks much, Davenport!!) so hopefully I didn't botch too much of it.
Read on, enjoy, and please leave some constructive criticism!
For several minutes after Snape had swept out of the bedroom, Nicole still stood with her back to the wall, trying to breathe again. She knew that her Potions Professor had the tendency to invade his students' space, but that was… Nicole felt the fine hairs on her arms stand up. He probably just likes intimidating his students, that's the only explanation for it. She certainly felt intimidated. Among other things, a little voice in her head appended.
Nicole cautiously went into the study, less afraid when she saw that Snape wasn't in the room. She sat down on the couch and almost let out a yelp when she sank further into it than she had expected. The plush fabric was cold, even through her robes. In fact, the whole place was cold. It was in the dungeons, after all. Her wand in hand, she flicked her wrist at the fireplace, and with a quiet "Incendio" the fireplace sprang to life. Nicole let her head fall back onto the couch. As soon as she closed her eyes, her mind immediately brought up a picture of Snape, leaning so close to her. She groaned, willing the thought away. Why did he have to be such an ass? Why does he have to smell so good? She banished that voice from her mind, but the memory of his scent remained. It was almost inviting, like cinnamon and vanilla. How did a greasy, snarky old git who worked with the grossest potion ingredients all day smell so damn good? He probably spelled it to himself to block out the otherwise-overwhelming reek of frog guts or something.
"Miss Archer?"
Her head snapped up. Snape's black eyes bored into hers, and she had the feeling that she was in a load of trouble.
"Your things have arrived, along with some food. I had the house-elves put your items in the bedroom… Shall we eat here?" His eyebrows were raised in an expression of innocent questioning, and his tone was as civil as Nicole had ever heard. She nodded, and Snape snapped his fingers. An instant later, two house-elves ran down the stairs and placed two plates of roast chicken and vegetables on the small table, with bread-and-butter pudding and pumpkin juice besides. As soon as the plates and cutlery were arranged, the elves Disapparated. Snape settled in the chair across from her and leaned towards the table, cutting his portion of meat.
"So you've lit a fire, have you?"
Nicole nodded.
"You should have asked me first. Some of the potions that I create do give off flammable gases."
Snape's sharp voice sent a cold tingle down her spine. "I… I'm sorry, I didn't think—"
"No, I suppose you haven't done much of that today."
They ate in awkward silence for a minute or two, the fire still burning brightly. Nicole stared into the flames, swallowing a mouthful of juice. The lack of conversation was smothering.
"So, do you use the fireplace much? It makes the room seem..." The rest of Nicole's sentence crawled back down her throat when she met Snape's black glare. Her appetite was suddenly gone. A beat passed before she gathered the courage to speak again. "I'm not really hungry…" Before she lost her nerve to Snape's glower, she rushed on, "I asked them to send some books down to me, so I guess I'll go read some, if that's okay with you." Nicole forced herself not to bolt from the room and waited for her Professor's reply.
"I would prefer that you at least try to eat. I have no other food in my chambers, should you suddenly find yourself hungry in a half hour's time." Snape raised an eyebrow as he continued, "Unless my presence bothers you that severely."
Nicole's gaze fell to her plate, and she forced a forkful of peas into her mouth to avoid answering.
Snape was extremely irritated. First her mindless chatter about the fireplace, and now her extreme avoidance. What does she expect him to do? Chit-chat about mundane and meaningless details? If his refusal to engage in mindless gossip was enough to send her from the room, then they were both going to have a very disagreeable two weeks. Preposterously enough, he even felt almost guilty for causing that look to come over her. Before he had spoken, she had looked almost … well, he wouldn't say quite happy, but at least not as entirely distraught. He watched her slowly eat two more mouthfuls of peas, her displeasure evident in every movement she made.
"Is it that much of a torment to sit and eat with me?" he said, letting little of his anger show in his voice.
"I-I'm just not hungry, that's all."
"Well then, off with you. Go read your books."
The girl nodded, put down her fork, and practically dashed into the bedroom. Snape gave a sneer of disgust at the now-closed door, then continued his dining, thinking all the while about how miserable the upcoming days would be. He glared at the fire, which was still merrily warming the room, it seemed, just to spite him.