Disclaimer: Yes, by now I think that we have figured out that the HP characters, along with the world they inhabit, don't belong to me and that the old Bank Account is just as empty as it was before I sat down to write this story!
A Tense Situation
~Chapter Three~
The noise in the Great Hall had reached an almost deafening crescendo. It was truly a compilation of the sounds of everyday life found at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry, from the seemingly minute sounds of the clanking of silverware against the delicately crafted china plates, to the boisterous voices of students engaged in various conversations; all heard by the Wizards seated at the Head Table. It was these sounds that brought a level of comfort to the Headmaster as he surveyed the normalcy of it all. The only dark blotch to his musings made its presence felt as his eyes turned from their study of the individual House tables to survey the table at which he now sat. A worried expression settled over his features as the usually twinkling blue orbs came to rest on the empty chair that marked the Potions Master's absence.
'It should not have to be like this,' Dumbledore mused sadly for at least the hundredth time that afternoon. While Harry's link with Voldemort had done much to assure the aging Wizard that his friend would return, it did not hint as to what physical condition the man might be in at the time. Recently, the Dark Lord had been less than charitable with his followers and his ire appeared to be growing exponentially: That was, of course, assuming that one were so inclined to use the increasing physical injuries incurred by the Potions Master during the last few summons as a method of measure. The Headmaster gave a weary shake of his head and turned to answer the question posed by his Deputy Headmistress. After several minutes of discussion, he gently lay his spoon down on the table, stood up, and politely excused himself. It was time to return to the sanctuary of his office to await Snape's return. Something told him that things were about to change for the worse.
/^\^/^\^/^\
Minerva McGonagall's gaze followed the tall form of the Headmaster who was hastily exiting the Great Hall. A pensive expression stole over her face as she contemplated the events of the day, and a sad, soft sigh escaped her tightly pressed lips.
Even though she had said nothing to Dumbledore, the continued absence of her often-cranky colleague had not escaped her notice. Minerva had long since known and accepted the fact that Severus Snape was an extremely private man that kept mainly to himself. In that respect, he had changed very little since his own years as a Hogwarts student. However, regardless of the man's predilection toward solitude, she knew that he went to great lengths to put aside his personal preferences as a favor to the Headmaster and partake of evening meals in the Great Hall. It was a rare occasion when one could glance over to view a vacancy in the tall-backed chair usually occupied by the taciturn man.
A slight frown graced the Transfiguration Professor's lips as she recalled an earlier conversation in the main corridor in which she overheard several Ravenclaw students discussing the unexpected cancellation of Potions class. Had she not been present in the Gryffindor Common Room when Harry had discussed the details of his link to He-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named, then such information would have been more than enough to alert her that something out of the ordinary was taking place. After all, it was no secret amongst either the teachers or the students that Severus Snape never cancelled classes. 'Certainly he should be back by now?'
Turning her attention back to her meal, she continued quietly pondering the events of the day. 'Albus must be really be worried' she told herself with a slight quirk of her mouth. 'He never skips dessert...'
/^\^/^\^/^\
Meanwhile, another pair of eyes had noticed the absence of the Head of Slytherin and had been steadily searching the tables for any other possible signs that something might be amiss. It wasn't until his steely eyes landed on the empty space at the Gryffindor table where Harry Potter usually sat that he began to wonder in earnest. He remembered the letter he had received from his father the previous day and recounted the neatly scripted words in his mind. The blond haired boy couldn't recall anything in the letter that had been out of the ordinary or of particular interest. Indeed it had been nothing more than his father's usual ramblings regarding the greatness of the Malfoy family name and his continuing expectation that his son and heir surpass 'the Mudblood' in class ranking prior to the end of the school year.
Risking another covert glance at the Gryffindor table, he observed Hermione Granger, the 'Mudblood' mentioned in his father's letter. 'Nothing unusual there,' he mentally sneered, watching her bushy head earnestly bob up and down in response to something Ron Weasley had said. Continuing to unobtrusively watch the unsuspecting Gryffindors, he was surprised to notice a certain level of tension in their postures. Both students seemed to be particularly on edge and were leaning over the table toward one another while engaged in a very hushed conversation. Obviously something had happened earlier that afternoon, the details of which had not been offered to the student population. Whether it was public or private knowledge, he still should have heard something from someone. After all, being top boy in Slytherin, not to mention his status as a Malfoy, had its advantages. One of those advantages was the fact that all gossip immediately came his way, especially if it concerned 'Saint Potter' and his gang of misfits. Draco's brow furrowed in thought. He knew that his father would have dropped some sort of hint in an attempt to prepare him if anything of importance were imminent concerning the Dark Lord. It wasn't a good sign when Lucius Malfoy, one of the Dark Lord's most trusted followers, was unaware of his Master's intentions and it was even more disturbing when Severus Snape disappeared from the castle in the middle of the afternoon.
Deciding that it was in his best interest to get to the bottom of things, Draco waited until Ron and Hermione finished their meals and exited the Great Hall before making his own departure. Shrugging off the attention of his usual entourage of Crabbe and Goyle, the ice blond Slytherin exited through the side entrance and hurried to catch up with the Gryffindors. It was time to find out if his concern was truly warranted.
/^\^/^\^/^\
Once again Snape found himself cursing Dumbledore's sweet tooth as he towered over the stone Gargoyle just outside the Headmaster's office. Thus far he had tossed out several names of confectionary sweets the aged Wizard might have used to set his current password but the entryway remained tightly sealed. He glared menacingly at the statue only to find that his usual tactics of intimidation were sadly wasted on the inanimate object, despite the fact that it was magical in nature. Fleetingly the Potions Master fervently prayed, to whatever Deity might be listening, that Dumbledore's propensity for the sickly sweet treats would result in nothing less than the rotting of every tooth in his bearded head.
Unfortunately such thoughts only served to remind him of the rising pain in his own head as the pounding headache from earlier that morning triumphantly announced its wretched return. How he hated the Cruciatus! Raising his hands, the Potions Master allowed the long, elegant fingers to gently massage his temples in slow circular motions hoping to soothe the ever-growing ache. 'There has to be a better way.' Deciding that he had suffered enough of the Headmaster's idea of fun and games, which in Snape's opinion were more games than fun, he directed his blackest glare at the Gargoyle.
"Know now that if you do not open this passageway this very instant, that I will derive the most exquisite of pleasures in procuring a ridiculously large bag of that infernal Candy Corn that Albus loves so much, and happily shove it up your granite encrusted arse!"
To Severus' immense surprise, the doorway immediately swung open to reveal a revolving spiral staircase that led directly to the Headmaster's office. Sweeping past the Gargoyle with a look of smug satisfaction, Snape stepped onto the stairs and waited impatiently as the device began to slowly spiral upwards. The Potions Master had just enough time to wonder if it had been his harshly muttered threat that had prompted the sentry to reveal the opening or if he had actually guessed the correct password before finding himself face to face with Albus Dumbledore.
/^\^/^\^/^\
"Gryffindors," Draco muttered under his breath as he caught sight of Ron and Hermione heading toward the main staircase. 'They're so predictable. Probably heading back to their Common Room.' Deciding to put his newly found plan into action, the blond haired Slytherin marched directly toward the pair, pretending to be so engrossed in one of his textbooks that he didn't realize Hermione was in his path.
"Hey! Watch where you're going, Mudblood," he hissed as their bodies collided and sent Hermione reeling backwards into Ron, who was walking just a pace behind her.
Rubbing his shoulder and grimacing as if he had sustained a serious injury, the Slytherin watched as the Gryffindors steadied themselves.
"What's the matter, Granger? Didn't your parents teach you any manners at all? You're supposed to apologize when you run into someone. Of course, had you been paying less attention to Weasel and more attention to what's around you then you wouldn't have to worry about such things. Would you?"
Ron was already reaching for his wand in typical Weasley fashion when Hermione stepped in front of him with the hope of forestalling a duel.
"As a matter of fact, Malfoy, my parents did teach me manners and had I actually run into someone, I would have apologized immediately. However since it was only you, I see no reason to do so. And besides, you ran into me."
"I think our collision may have addled what few brains were left under that bushy hair, Granger. But then I don't expect someone such as yourself to be able to admit when she's at fault," Draco snarled, delighted at the crimson color steadily rising in Ron's face. 'Just a few more comments and his face may actually match his hair.'
The young man's comments had precisely the desired effect he had been hoping for as was evident by Hermione's indignant gasp of outrage. Ron, for his part, was desperately trying to sidestep the angry girl in order to gain a clear path to hex the Slytherin antagonist.
"Careful, Weasel," Draco cautioned the fuming redhead with a malicious smirk. "Potter's not here to protect you and it would be such a shame if something were to happen."
"I don't need Harry to protect me against the likes of you, Malfoy!" Ron raged, advancing on the Slytherin.
Draco stood his ground, thoroughly enjoying the verbal joust. Yes, he could always count on Weasley getting riled up over the tiniest of incidents. Just a few more insults and he'd have the information he needed. Smiling nastily, the blond haired boy merely shrugged.
"That's a relief since he can barely protect himself. Where is Saint Potter anyway? Did he finally wise up and realize that he could do better than the likes of the two of you? Or perhaps he ran home crying to his Mummy?" The Slytherin paused, waiting for his comments to register before delivering the final blow. Pasting a look of mock concern on his face, he shook his head in a pitying gesture.
"Oh wait, I forgot… he doesn't have a Mummy. Does he?"
The sharp intake of breath from Hermione was quite audible as her quick mind processed the meaning behind Draco's words. 'How dare he say such horrible things?' She was sorely tempted to grant Ron's fiery temper free reign and turn a blind eye as he hexed the smiling Slytherin in retaliation for the remark about Harry's mother. 'Better yet I should do it myself!' It was only her status as Head Girl and the need to set a good example for the other students that kept her from hexing Malfoy ten ways to Sunday.
"He's in the infirmary resting, Malfoy, which is exactly where you're about to end up, " Ron snarled. "But don't worry, he'll be back in the morning which is more than I can say for you!"
"Mr. Weasley," a stern voice sounded from behind the students just as Ron had opened his mouth to send a hex flying toward Draco. "Is there a problem?"
The quarreling students turned to see Professor McGonagall gazing at them with a look that all but dared them to even try to attempt to talk their way out of the sight she had just witnessed. Even Draco knew that crossing the Transfiguration Professor was unwise as she would readily deduct House Points from any house, including her own, for infractions of school rules. Even the first year students were aware that dueling in the corridors was considered to be a major infraction, with grueling detentions as punishment for offenders.
It was Hermione who finally broke the uncomfortable silence. "Professor McGonagall, we were just having a discussion over house ideologies and things became a little heated."
"Yes, I can see that, Miss Granger," the Deputy Headmistress acknowledged, surveying the students with a skeptical look. She hadn't arrived in time to hear the conversation between the students but she did recognize a defensive dueling posture when she saw one.
"I would suggest that the three of you return to your Common Rooms immediately and remain there for the rest of the evening. If I hear the slightest whisper of any mishaps amongst you, be assured that I won't hesitate to deduct House Points and place all three of you in detention until the end of the school year. Do I make myself clear?"
"Yes, Professor," they each mumbled. Seconds later, the rebuked students were hastily scrambling to their respective dormitories under the watchful eye of the Head of Gryffindor.
/^\^/^\^/^\
TBC
Author's Note: Many thanks to OzRatbag2 for taking the time to scour through this chapter for me. I would also like to take a moment to thank the readers for the kind words and support that I've received in regards to this story. Your response to the last chapter floored (and delighted) me!
There was a person that asked what WIKTT meant. (I believe I used this term in my Author's Note in the Prologue). WIKTT (When I Kissed the Teacher) is a group that can be found at the Yahoo site. It is based on the Severus Snape/ Hermione Granger pairing. If you are interested in checking this group out, you may either go to the Yahoo.com site and enter a search for WIKTT or pull up a search engine (ex. Google) and search the term WIKTT. This will take you to the site. Unfortunately, FF.Net will not post web addresses otherwise I would just include the URL.
~Jules
