Chapter 5: Under Investigation

Harry as Emma thanked Tipper, the house elf that had appeared at her summons, for guiding her to Professor Snape's personal quarters. Harry could have used his map to locate the other professor's rooms, but didn't want to chance Severus catching Emma in a lie.

After the house elf disappeared, Harry took a deep breath in the hopes of stilling his racing heart. He was about to step into the personal domain of his once most hated professor and now enamoured colleague. He reminded himself again that he was Emma Malsby, Charms teacher and world traveler, and an ex-student of Beauxbatons. Tonight he was not here to be a secret agent intent on learning information for the 'cause,' instead Emma was here to learn more about a man who intrigued her.

Harry almost thought that changing his outward appearance and presenting himself as a female had also altered his thought patterns and emotional reactions. He realized that he was constantly going back and forth in his behaviour, especially when it concerned Severus Snape. He had told himself he was only encouraging Snape in order to establish a friendship, and yet his outward behaviour to the man himself would almost be classified as teasing, leading him on, making the man fall even further under the spell of Emma. Once he had realised what he had been doing, he was disgusted with himself. Tonight, Emma would be circumspect, polite and a congenial guest.

With that thought in mind, Emma knocked on the painting leading to Severus' chambers.

"You are very prompt, thank you for coming." Severus smiled cautiously and ushered Emma into his living room.

"I wouldn't dream of missing a conversation about Potions and the 'idiots' who contribute to the journals, excluding yourself of course and talking about travelling the globe. " Emma took the seat Severus offered her and turned to look at the man who had tormented Harry for seven long years. "How did your meeting with the Headmaster go?"

"The usual. I'm sure you know what that is like. He pushes his candy or biscuits on you with a cup of tea. I'm sure he has some form of sedative in the tea, as I'm sure that is the only way he actually makes it through the day."

"Speaking of cookies, he told me that you enjoyed those biscuits he got from Australia, Tim Tams. I think he was right in calling them addictive," Emma smiled encouragingly to the other man. Harry watched as Severus settled deeply into a wing-backed chair that looked to be a favorite to the Potions Master.

"Yes, those were enjoyable. I might have to cultivate a connection with someone in Australia to get a monthly supply. I'll even share with you, if that happens." Severus' eyes sparkled as he talked. Harry was amazed at how open the other man was in his own surroundings.

"That would be very lovely, thank you. But enough about food that will surely add a few stone to my weight. Let's finish our discussion about the latest Potions Journal. Was there anyone or any article at all that you thought had merit in being published?"

And with that opening, the discussion on potions went on for a fair while, until Severus brought up Emma's supposed travels around the world.

"What have been your favorite places so far in your journeys?" Severus summoned a house elf for late night snackand amazingly, it was Emma's guide, Tipper, who once more appeared.

"Ahh, Tipper, good. If you could bring Professor Malsby and me some fruit and cheese, that would be lovely."

"Yes, Professor Severus, sir. It's lovely to see you again Professor Emma, I'm glad you found you way okay." The tiny house elf beamed a bright smile towards Harry and Emma smiled in return.

"Thank you again, Tipper for your guidance earlier. You were a big help."

"Tipper is always willing to help the Hogwarts staff, you is all so kind. I will be back right back with your fruit and cheese, would you also be liking some tea or juice?"

Severus turned to Emma and asked, "Would you prefer that to wine, I have a chilled white waiting for us?"

"White wine sounds lovely, especially with the thought of fruit and cheese to go with it. A nice after dinner treat."

With a pop, Tipper was gone and while Emma started to discuss Egypt and the upper areas of Africa, Tipper returned with a tray filled with lush looking berries, orange and apple slices, and cubed melon on one side of the tray, and slices of many cheeses on the other.

"I'll return for the tray tomorrow when I come to prepare the fires, Professor Severus." Once more Tipper disappeared into thin air.

"All the house elves at Hogwarts are so eager and genuinely happy. It is always so nice to see," Emma remarked once they were alone again.

"I have yet to run across any house elf that wasn't happy to be of service," Severus spoke in such a manner as to make his statement appear to be a question.

"Oh, well, I've just never, um... spent much time around the house elves." Harry was thrown by that. He should have remembered that Dobby was probably a rare case. In fact, he couldn't really remember what the outcome had been of Hermione's S.P.E.W. campaign, and if any of the other house elves had choosen to be paid for their services.

"Yes, house elves can be very invisible if they choose. So enough about your travels, tell me about your time as a student at Beauxbatons; tell me about your professors," demanded Severus.

Harry paused at the unexpected query. He hadn't really spent much time preparing for that portion of his back story, knowing that most everyone wouldn't care who taught him or what his classes were like. Harry had assumed that people in general would be more fascinated with Emma's travels in exotic locals than how so and so taught Transfigurations.

"Not much to say really, the professors were professional and strict. It has been several years since I last visited, and I'm sure a good many of my professors are now retired. Besides talking about my years in school is boring, why don't you tell me about the other professors here. I've not really gotten a chance to know the rest of my colleagues," Emma evaded as best as possible. Harry knew that Madame Maxine had not been the headmistress some twenty years ago, but knew not much else about the other wizarding school. Harry realized that he would have to approach Headmaster Dumbledore tomorrow after their meeting and get as much information about Beauxbatons as soon as possible.

The remainder of the evening was spent discussing and gossiping about the rest of Hogwarts' staff and Emma left Severus' quarters feeling that a small step towards a solid friendship had been made.

( - - - - - - - - - )

Severus sat quietly in his well-worn chair and contemplated every part of the conversation he had had with Emma and realized that there were several instances where 'she' gave herself away as being someone else entirely. Her mannerisms, the way she held herself, the way she ate, the way she cocked her head as she talked all reminded him of someone else, he just could not place his fingers on who that person was. He knew in time he would learn who she truly was, but until then he was enjoying the time they spent together.