Disclaimer: I don't own any of these characters. They belong to J.K. Rowling. I'm not making any money from this in any way.

Slash of the male/male kind will eventually be appearing in this story. If you don't like slash, or the idea of Harry/Severus, then please leave. Don't read what you don't like.

I dedicate this story to DT – for pushing, pulling and prodding me into it.

Once again – Thanks to everybody who reviewed my last chapter. I know that this has been a long in the coming and I apologise for that. Your reviews are what eventually motivated me to keep on continuing.

Chapter Six

*~*

Perhaps I'll try and put some eyeliner on for it.

*~*

I pace.

Can't Potter hurry up? We were meant to be up at the hall ten minutes ago. I wanted to get in there before the majority of the students so he didn't cause a scene amongst them. Now we won't be able to avoid it.

Hearing his door squeak open, I turn towards it.

Surprise. And shock. They are the only things I can think of right now.

*~*

I really wish I had a camera.

I suppose I've put the clothing and make-up on properly considering Snape's reaction.

"Professor Snape, shouldn't we be going? We're already late." Anything to stop him staring at me like that. Not that I really mind. But considering how long it took me to put on this damned eyeliner – we really are running late. I don't know how women can be on time anywhere.

Visibly shaking himself, Snape nods and leads the way out of his chambers while I trail behind, enjoying the clicking of my shoes.

*~*

I have a sneaking suspicion that Potter likes heels. He seems to take glee in making them click as much as possible. And he didn't have to wear them tonight, but he did.

"Potter, why did you wear heels tonight?" I hear myself ask. Damn – I didn't actually want to ask him. It's going to make it look like I care what he does or wear. Though those low-slung pants and tight shirt do look good. Especially underneath that wizard's robe.

Potter's face looks scandalous, "Professor – you can't wear flat shoes with pants like this. They don't sit properly and end up making you look like you have a huge butt."

*~*

"Professor – you can't wear flat shoes with pants like this. They don't sit properly and end up making you look like you have a huge butt."

Shit. The words were out of my mouth before I expected them to be. Though it did shut Snape up. And the door to the Great Hall is just in front of us. Thank the Gods.

*~*

"Ok, Potter. Do you know your cover story?" I ask stopping before the great wooden doors. He nods. "Good, then just let me take the lead and go from there."

Once again he nods, "Yes Professor." If he doesn't say anything else, then perhaps tonight's dinner could go just fine.

We both turn towards the doors. What are we doing? This little plan of Dumbledore's is never going to work. Who is going to believe it? "Oh and Potter – call me Severus. We are meant to be old friends."

He grins, "Only if you call me Jamari in public and Harry in private."

"Oh – and if I don't you'll do what?" I ask raising my eyebrow. The boy really can be amusing in a simpleton way at times. There can't possibly be any way for him to blackmail me like this.

"Or else, I'll call you Sev in front of the whole school and act like a total ditz. Just imagine how the school would lap that up. Especially if we stick with the we-are-really-old-friends story."

Blast. He really does have me there. I won't even be able to terrorise Longbottom if the students start to think of me in any other way than Snape: The Greasy Potions Master. And he knows it as well.

"Deal. Just don't make a fool of yourself or eat with your hands. That's what the cutlery is for."

I push open the doors wide, and stand there waiting with my hand drawn out to him. I wonder if he'll take it… Hrmm…

*~*

The doors are open. Everybody is looking at me. I must look ridiculous; nobody is saying anything at all. Dumbledore is standing up behind his chair. He looks like he was just about to sit down. Hesitantly I stretch out and take Snape's hand, letting him lead me up to the Professor's table on the dais.

As we walk past hand in hand, the students start to whisper. I look round the tables. They all look so childish in their matching uniforms and hands over their mouths. It's not as if I can't tell their not whispering. But do they have to be any more obvious about it.

I can't believe that I would be there doing the exact thing if I hadn't had this glamour put upon me. Looking at it from a different perspective – it's an extremely rude thing to do.

Dumbledore raises his arms upon us reaching the dais and the whispering and murmurs fall silent. I wish I could do that trick. How useful it would be in the Gryffindor Common Room if you wanted to do quiet study. 

"Students of Hogwarts, may I present to you Jamari Paton," more hushed whispers. Dumbledore waits until they die down a bit to continue, "She will be staying here with Professor Snape for a while and helping out with various classes. Please give her a proper Hogwarts welcome."

Me. Helping with classes. Why was I not told about this?

*~*

Hrmm… Potter actually looked frightened at entering the hall. He seems fine now though – since the attention is focused off him. I can just feel the Hogwarts rumour mills ticking over time tonight.

They always come up with the most outlandish things. The reason why I hate the Defence Teachers is because I've always wanted the job – huh, as if! It is just because they were all such idiots. Then there's the one that I'm a vampire and that calls for my pale skin and dark skin – thought that one is partly true. A few generations back a vampire did marry in, but luckily he didn't pass on anything else but his colouring to the line.

I wonder what they'll come up with for Potter. I bet that it will be interesting in any case.

Just have to wait till tomorrow I suppose. For now I'll send my death glare to Malfoy and his cronies who can't seem to keep their eyes off Potter. I mean drooling over Potter is not a respectable thing for a Slytherin to do – whether they know its Potter or not. Drooling isn't a thing Slytherins should do in any case.

Out of the corner of my eye I can see Potter take a glance at me. He sees the direction of where my glare is going.

*~*

Snape is glaring at Malfoy. And Malfoy's staring back… But wait… That's not Snape he's staring at… I shift my whole attention upon Malfoy…

Malfoy is staring at me. And practically drooling as well. Must be the terrific job I did of my eyeliner. Professor Young, no wait, she insisted that I call her Margaret, said for my first time it's done remarkably well. But Malfoy staring at me is a bit strange.

Shoot – I missed the last thing that Margaret said. I was too busy staring back at Malfoy.

When I turn my eyes back towards her, she just grins. "I see you've made quite an impact upon the students. Male and female alike. Don't worry – you get used to the staring after a while." Just nod, smile and go back to your eating. You know that's a lie, and so does she. Dinner will be over soon.

Hopefully.

But… Malfoy… Gee - I always thought he was gay.

*~*