Chapter 5: William and a Weasley
Snape paced back and forth in his chambers, trying to prepare himself for the evening. The day had gone from bad to worse. The students, if they could even be classified as that, had gotten on his last nerve. It was all he could do not to transfigure them all into cockroaches. One student even suggested that adding hellebore to his sleeping draught would make it more effective. "Idiots! All of them!"
In addition to that, he knew that Potter, Weasley, and Granger had heard about his 'date' with Rita from Hagrid. They could hardly keep straight faces when they looked at him. He had taken 10 points from each of them, but even that didn't make him feel better.
As if his coming date with Demetra wasn't bad enough, he had to attend to Weasley in detention first. "When will I learn to keep my ruddy temper under control? If I hadn't gotten mad at him during his last detention, I wouldn't have to do this tonight!"
"What's done is done." (1) William was sitting in his high-backed chair, eating a turkey leg. He knew Snape was agitated, but that was normal. He'd never really known the potions master to be in a good mood.
Snape turned to William's portrait, eyes narrowed. "Oh, who asked you, you barmy old codger?"
"There is no need to be so rude! I was only making an observation." William turned his back on Snape and walked away in a huff.
"Good riddance!" Snape was even more agitated than before. Even a portrait can't stand me! He stormed out of his room, making his way to the dungeon for his detention with Weasley. Sometimes I think I should just go all "Malcolm the Malevolent" on their arses! With that, he turned the corner and ran right into something quite solid.
"OOOF!" Ron Weasley was knocked flat on the ground, Snape landing right beside him. "What the ruddy h…." Ron trailed off when he saw just who he was addressing. "Sir. Um, Professor. Professor Snape! I'm…."
"Stupid? Clumsy? A complete nincompoop?" Snape was furious. As if his day wasn't bad enough, he had to get his robes all dusty because this stupid oaf was just standing in the middle of the hallway. "Well, get up, Weasley. I don't have all evening!" He pulled the young man to his feet, shoving him toward the door of the potions classroom. "What in blazes are you doing standing in the hallway anyway?" He glared at the student in front of him.
"I was waiting for my detention, sir. The door was locked." Ron did not waver as he stared at the professor. "You did remember that it was tonight?"
"Yes, of course I remembered! Why else would I be here?" He moved to unlock the door, not waiting for Ron. He entered and went to sit behind his desk. "The door should not have been locked. PEEVES!"
There was a loud bang as the pestering poltergeist materialized in the classroom. He knocked over several cauldrons and flasks, causing several more moments of loud clattering, before silence settled over the classroom. "You rang, you greasy old bat?" Peeves cackled at his own joke.
Ron struggled to contain a laugh, just managing to turn it into a cough. He grimaced and was silent after receiving another glare from his teacher.
"Peeves, I should hate to have to report you to the Bloody Baron again. You know how he is when he is unhappy with you." Snape's voice was calm, but cold. "Besides, if the Baron isn't enough to spark the fear in you, then you should consider who you are baiting. I trust you recall the time you were stuck in a biscuit tin for a week?" Oh yes, that was a good time. I should do that more often.
Ron watched in fascination as Peeves' face actually contorted into a look of fear and his ghostly form turned whiter. It's pretty impressive when someone can scare Peeves. Of course, I shouldn't be surprised; Snape scares the hell out of me most of the time.
"So sorry, Professor. Didn't mean no harm, really. I'll just be going now." Peeves disappeared quickly. He had no intention of facing a week in a cramped space like that again. He liked teasing the Potions master, but when it came down to it, he knew when not to press him. There was no telling what Snape would do to him next time.
Snape whirled back around, only to catch Ron standing there, mouth agape. "What are you staring at?"
Ron stammered, trying to answer Snape. "Nothing sir. I just…well…that was impressive. The way you handled Peeves, I mean. I thought he only listened to the Bloody Baron. You scared the snot out of him!" Ron was excited at this point, his face as red as his hair. "Bloody brilliant!"
Snape stood still, surveying the boy in front of him. Did he just call me brilliant? He puffed out his chest a bit and stood straighter. You know, he's right. I am brilliant. Now tell me again why I haven't ever received an Order of Merlin, First Class? With a voice heavily laden with sarcasm, he spoke. It wouldn't do to have the boy know he appreciated the compliment. "It's just wonderful that you approve, Mr. Weasley. Now, you are here for detention, are you not? I suggest you start scrubbing the cauldrons."
Ron's excited manner deflated in a hurry. Awe, who was I kidding? Did I actually think that the greasy git was human? He skulked over to the row of cauldrons, picking up the ones that Peeves had managed to knock over. He dropped one with a clatter, jumping back. He proceeded to wave his hand around and jump up and down. "Son of a bludger! Merlin's balls!"
"Mr. Weasley! What is the matter with you? I will not tolerate profanity in my classroom! Do you think I find your antics amusing?" I wonder if anyone would notice if I did a body bind on him and left him in the corner of the Astrology tower? Dumbledore would probably disapprove though. Damn how that man puts a damper on my good times.
"My hand, professor! Look at it!" Ron looked horrified. "What do I do? It hurts!" Ron was still waving his hand like mad and hopping from one foot to the other.
Snape walked quickly over to Ron, grabbing him by the wrist to examine his hand. Indeed, it looked quite painful, for it was covered with large boils. Undiluted bubotuber puss, if I had to guess. Dunderheads! This wouldn't have been a problem if the students would mix their potions properly! He knew better than to let 2nd years attempt a simple acne treatment. He walked over to a set of shelves, and took down a potion, walking back over to Ron, who was turning pale.
Just brilliant. Now what is he going to do to me? He looked suspiciously at Snape. "What is that?"
"It's not poison, if that's what you're worried about. It's just a simple soothing potion made with nettle. This will soothe the boils and help to heal them." Snape took the stopper out and applied some to Ron's hand.
Ron stood stock still. Snape was actually helping him. "Er, thank you sir. That helps."
Snape held the bottle out to him. "Here, take this with you. You will need to apply it a few more times before it is healed."
"You mean, I can go?" Ron couldn't believe his luck. He was actually getting out of detention after only a few minutes. Maybe Snape isn't so bad after all.
Snape detested the idea of letting Weasley off that easy, but to be honest, he was tired. He wanted the detention over. Piss it. This night is shot to Hades anyway. "Well, it's not as if you're useful for anything now. Besides, I have other matters to attend to." Like figuring out how to endure a date with a dementor. " Go. I expect you to work twice as hard tomorrow night."
"Yes, sir. Thanks, sir." Ron almost ran from the classroom. Wonder if I could talk Hermione into helping me with my History of Magic homework? Or, I could finally tell her how I feel about her. No, better stick with the homework.
Since he was alone, Snape allowed himself a grin at the boy's quick retreat. It's good to know that I still have my touch. I do have a reputation to upkeep. With a loud sigh he tidied his desk, and left for the Three Broomsticks.
A/N:
Thanks again to my wonderful betas, Jennifer and Judy. You all keep me encouraged and on track!
I do have a few more chapters of this written, so I will space them out until I get more finished. Just about a month now until the baby gets here, so I doubt I'll do much writing for a while. ;-)
Quote:
(1) "What's done is done." Macbeth Act III, scene II
Disclaimer:
I do not own anything related to HP. If I did, I wouldn't have to dig change out of the bottom of my purse to plug the parking meter.