AN: You may have noticed the change in my pen name. Well, the 1 at the end of Ms. Granger that ff.net added was really annoying me and so I decided to change it... almost completely. The inspiration was... yes, from the shampoo company, Got2B! Mmm... orange scented goodness... You know the drill, R&R!
Chapter 5: Hogsmeade Part 2: Operation: Woody-Granger"So... Madam Granger... How's the... infirmary?" Oliver said nervously as he waited for his order of butterbeer. The awkward moment of silence was too much for him to bear and he had to at least try to make conversation. However, judging by the emotionless face sitting across from him, it wasn't going to be easy.
"Fine," Hermione answered. For the past fifteen minutes, she'd stuck to giving him one word answers. She had no intention to make small talk with someone she obviously disliked. The question was, why was he trying to be friendly with her? 'That's an easy one, Hermione. He's probably just trying to have one of those flings that guys like him must have with every female within a 1 mile radius of them. Well, he can forget about it, because he has absolutely no chance with me!'
"Right," he said with his head down. Another failed attempt from Oliver Wood. He sighed at the tense atmosphere and wondered to himself why he followed her in the first place. 'It seemed like the right thing to do at the time...' the little voice inside him squeaked. Well, right now, the right thing didn't exactly lead him to a very happy place. From the scowl on Hermione's face, he felt like he was a criminal waiting for his sentence. Right now, he seems to be in line for the Dementor's Kiss... Taking a deep breath, he just hopes he survives the evening.
* * *
Severus Snape walked into the Three Broomsticks inconspicuously... or at least he tried. He stuck out like a sore thumb walking behind a group of giggling Hufflepuff girls. He prayed to whatever superior being there is that he could walk by without attracting the attention of the glaring mediwitch. Taking a deep breath, he began to inch along the wall excruciatingly slowly away from the couple. At first he'd thought about saving Oliver, but when he saw the thundercloud looming above Hermione, he decided to save himself.
Right when he thought he had gotten away, he saw a light flicker at a dark corner and then a hand bickering him forth. He heaved a heavy a sigh when he recognized the twinkling blue eyes and knew that this could mean nothing but trouble. 'At least you have a safe place to hide,' he thought to himself, trying desperately to find a bright side to the situation. When he saw the look on the other two professors' faces, his bright side went right off a cliff and into a waiting pile of manure... face first. "You requested my presence, Headmaster?"
At the smile on the old wizard's face, fear gripped his heart. Sometimes he was even more frightening than the Dark Lord had been when he was around. For the millionth time, he wondered to himself why he took the job in the first place. "Severus, sit down. Don't interrupt the young, blooming relationship." A scowl appeared on the Potions Master's face when he looked over at the table again. 'Young, blooming relationship? Perhaps he'd had one too many butterbeers... Then again, the guy has always been a little messed up in the head.'
He was about to reply when the short arm of Professor Flitwick grabbed him by the collar and pulled him down onto the booth. He'd escaped just in time for Hermione's gaze to momentarily wander to their corner without him being noticed. "Close one there," the Charms professor said, letting out a breath he had obviously been taking.
Severus met Dumbledore's eye again and after recognizing that mysterious twinkle, his eyes widened and immediately he shook his head frightfully. "No, you're insane. You will not drag me into this one, you hear, Albus? I have spied for you for the Dark Lord, yes. I have risked my life on countless occasions, that's fine too. But I absolutely refuse to deal with the wrath of Hermione Granger when she finds out about your little... game. I won't do it, no." He kept telling himself that in his head, but one look at the familiar old man and he knew that with a little persuasion, he'd have no choice.
"Now, now, Severus. This is no game. We all just want Hermione to be... happy. The type of happiness only a lifelong partnership can provide. Don't you want Hermione to be happy?" Dumbledore knew that over the past year, the two former enemies have grown close to the point of a brother-sister relationship. So of course, he would use that sore spot to lure him into their hungrily waiting trap.
With almost a growl, Severus replied, "I want Hermione to be happy and I will do anything I can to help... anything that won't require me to lose any limbs or suffer any type of excruciating pain. You have no idea how many different types of poison that girl knows. She may look innocent to you but she's really an evil little-"
"Severus," Minerva McGonagall, who'd remained silent until now, shot a threatening look at the Potions Master. With pursed lips, she sent a silent warning to the man in front of her who was just about to call her all time favorite student something very inappropriate.
"Severus, this is an honest and noble cause that we are working behind. We would just like you to pledge your loyalty to us in this mission. After all, wouldn't you be proud when this is over that you can say you deserve partial credit to Hermione's happiness?" the cunning Headmaster pushed the Potions Master a little more. Sometimes Severus honestly believes that Albus Dumbledore was complete Slytherin material.
"I'll be bloody proud to be alive after all this," he muttered, finally giving in. However, since he is Severus Snape after all, he couldn't go without a little cursing of how his life is one long, dark fall. "Why can't Hermione just be happy with her bloody books?"
* * *
A few tables away was a group of Gryffindors having their weekend butterbeers. What would the Three Broomsticks be without a Gryffindor get-together every now and then?
"A toast," the Gryffindor seeker, Kevin Hollins said as he raised his glass, "to a serious Ravenclaw-beating at Quidditch tomorrow." At that, everyone banged their glasses together and cheered, attracting a few looks from the other inhabitants of the area.
Suddenly, something caught the eye of Kathy Beckman, one of the two beaters on the team. "Hey guys, isn't that Professor Wood and Madam Granger?" she asked as she pointed to the two adults sitting together. Immediately, everyone turned their heads to the table. It was known throughout the school that they didn't get along for one reason or another. The girls sighed dreamily as they watched the cute professor try desperately to make conversation. "Poor guy."
"Hey, it is them!" Rick Saunders, the other cheerful beater of the team announced. "Oy! 'Mione! Over here!" he shouted loudly with his hands cupped to form a miniature bullhorn. Before he could actually get their attention, however, her girlfriend, or the resident bookworm, Cammy Grant, nudged him in the stomach. Immediately, he shut his mouth while the other boys sniggered at how 'whipped' the boy is.
"That is the mediwitch, so have some respect. And girls, in case you haven't noticed, Professor Wood is a bit too old for you," she analyzed logically, earning a few disappointed groans from the lively girls.
"But it's 'Mione! She's like our older little sister!" Rick whined, expertly using his twisted logic.
"Look at them. They are so cute together! Like some fairy tale. I mean, come on, they were both Gryffindors and neither of them are exactly hard on the eyes. It's just like your Prince Charming and the beautiful Princess," Cassidy Roberts sighed with the dreamy look in her eyes. She was personally fond of both of them, as strict as Hermione was, she cared.
"Then it's settled!" Rick said loudly and everyone's gaze turned to him expectantly. "Operation: Woody-Granger starts now!" Another round of loud cheers came from the guys and the girls reluctantly joined in. Well, if they can't have him, at least he won't go to some Slytherin tramp!