Disclaimer: I don't own anything of J.K Rowling or Harry Potter. This story is for entertainment purposes only.

A/N: Meeeeow... MERRY CHRISTMAS! I have a notebook which I write in everyday of different fanfic, and this is the main one I write. This is easier to do because now I can just update whenever I copy down the chappie. Hoorah! That means no more watiing for me unless I specifically say I am going to take awhile. YAY!

Chapter 8: Spaghetti Strap Slip

Dear Journal, Ok so I want to rant, Who does Snape think he is? First he tells me to stay silent, then he orders me to question the students. I know I should be honored to help, but Snape's a...schitzo! Anyways, I'll just show him by doing the best I can!

Small blurbs in my journal let me vent. It helps.

During the second year class, Snape told me to quiz the class on safety tips when handling potions and ingredients. I only lasted a few minutes before Mr. Snake the Oxymoron stated that I was done for the day. Thank Merlin! I completed my first day, and it was somewhat exciting. Now it's night..I'm taking a small dose of sleeping potion. Hopefully I don't oversleep again. My alarm clock was set perfectly; I checked before melting into my bed. The house elves had returned every article of clothing to me except for two pairs of pajamas. I was obligated to wear a silly summer nightgown once more, and probably freeze to death this time. Stupid dungeon chilliness. I didn't mind it last night, but tonight the cold air is flying into my room for some reason.

0o0o0o0o

"Wake up...Time to rise and shine.." I tried to reassure myself that the new day held hapiness and joy. I had awoken not to my alarm, but to another loud knocking. Once I realized that it was time for breakfast, I knew the person behind the door was Ol' Snapey.

I jumped out of bed and rushed to the door, my hair as messy as the previous day. I was having de-ja-vu. The door was again, a shield let down, leaving me vulnerable to Severus' attacks.

"Late..What is your malfunction?" Almost shouting, Snape continued, "If you want me to wake you up every morning, say so! But don't expect me to wake your dishevelled self up late anymore."

Hey! He stole my word...(Dishevelled)

"Oh my God!" I felt like shouting too, "My alarm has not been working for the past two days. I'm sorry if I make you look bad with my tardiness, but..It wasn't my fault." One of my spaghetti straps fell ever-so-gently off my shoulder. I am such a dork. I need to fix them later...Note to self...

I felt his burning eyes glance at my shoulder and at the strap, which rested on my arm. For a moment, my stomach felt an odd feeling as if I were about to fall fifty feet. Snape sneered, finally realizing how much of a wreck I was.

"Pull yourself together and get to breakfast." With that silken voice like the calm after a short storm, Snape left my sight.

Practically running to the Great Hall with whatever dignity I had left, I was surprised to see Snape hadn't arrived yet. Now in my teacher's robes, I sat down and chatted with Hermione.

"Second day he has to wake me up... Second Day! I don't know what's-"

Hermione interrupted me, "Peeves the Ghost. He's been shutting alarms of every student teacher. Dumbledore found out this morning. If it happens again, he's going to ban Peeves from Hogwarts."

"Oh.." I was now satisfied by knowing what's caused the chaos.

"Snape," Mione changed the subject, "will be back. Luscius Malfoy pulled him aside for a chat."

I jumped, "Mr. Malfoy! What's he doing here? I thought he only hung around Hogsmeade, not the school."

She answered shortly, "Draco."

"What about him?"

"He's been complaining about Lockhart. For some reason, Luscius thinks Snape can help."

I was sort of worried, "Do you think he's trying to transfer Draco from helping Poptart to helping Ol' Snapey?"

"Ol' Snapey?" She was obviously wondering about the nicknames, but went on with her reply. "I don't think that would happen on account of Dumbledore not allowing, and I don't think Luscius is too persuasive."

"True.." I noticed Snape entering the Great Hall alone. I thought he would've been with Luscius.

Mione whispered, "I don't think he's in a good mood."

"Let me tell you a secret.." I held in a giggle, "Neither do I."

The day went on, I prepared myself for first class with the first years. I deeply missed my other classes. Being a student teacher was so odd. Terrifying in a way. Although I was pretty comfortable with the younger kids, I still felt paranoid that they all hated me or wanted me to just go away. I mean, I know they're all innocent, but I do know how children view professors.

During first period, nothing significant happened. I was quiet. Mary Burmingham was quiet too. I should start taking notes on how she acts to see if a solution to her shyness is possible.

When I had second period off, I lounged in the library. Draco had walked in for a moment. I could only say hello because he was running an errand for Poptart. I wished he'd stay longer to give me the reason why he yearned to leave Lockhart's so badly. I mean, sure Lockhart is nothing but a toasted breakfast pastry, but he's not the worst person to work with. Hello! I almost worked with him!

Third period, I sat serenly as Snape sauntered about with his wicked ways. He ordered once again for me not to talk. In fact, I'm thinking that after yesterday with my well done questioning job, Snape is a bit...competitive or intimidated in the lightest sense. Perhaps my mouth should move more so I can prove to him that his slithering self cannot disturb or threaten me. I want to show him that I can teach..Not just interrogate, but teach.

After the day was over, and everyone was walking gleefully to supper, my decision to approach Snape with a request emerged. I had the urge to get the permission of teaching an entire class.

"Here he comes," Mione wanred me as the Potions Master waltzed proudly into the Great Hall.

I had told Hermione my plan. I would corner Snake, trap him like a fly under a paper cup, interrogate him nicely, then brace myself for the worst lecture of saying no. I have my reasons why I want to teach one class, so him letting me down won't be easy. I had to face him man-to-woman, unlike ever before. Demand (nicely) to teach an entire class.

"You shouldn't have a problem waking up. Peeves has stopped wrecking the alarms." Snape began normally chatting with me. He added, "I wouldn't mind waking you up myself if you wanted," smirking, he finished, "as long as you get a hold on your runaway straps."

He didn't...

Mione stared at me wide-eyed. He did..

"Umm.." Time to respond to Mr. Oxymoron.."What..are you talking about?" My words fell out uncontrollably. I hadn't meant to ask. . . . I'm an idiot.

Snape swallowed his food, "Every morning I see you, you're a mess. Maybe you need better sleep tactics."

"Maybe I do." I had wanted to say, Maybe you do. My response went on, "But that doesn't mean you can criticize my sleep habits or how I look in the morning." I got up from my seat, left the hall with repressed anger, and decided to wait in his classroom until supper was over. The need to ask permission to teach still resided in my brain.

Wasting time, I sat down in the same chair that I sat in all day today and yesterday. Alas, the Snake slithered into the class, surprised to see me waiting so patiently.

"You aren't supposed to be in here unless I tell you to be, or if I am also in here." His voice held irritability.

Shrugging, I stated, "I didn't know, sorry.."

"I think," he stepped closer to his desk, "someone shouldn't have left the Great Hall in such a rude fashion."

"Speaking of fashion," my subject jumped to another of mischief, "who are you to insult me about my dishevelled, unorganized, ugly morning self?"

Raising his voice, Snape defended himself, "I only remarked for the purpose of conversation and amusement! A bit of friendly teasing."

"Friendly teasing to you is like setting a bomb off in a toilet while someone is using it. And, are you saying I'm easy to laugh at and only used for jokes?"

"No," Snape half-smiled and talked soothingly, "but you do amuse me in the morning. I've never seen anyone with such tousled hair. I do appologize if I offended you somehow. ...Toilet bombing is not my idea of fun."

I gave into his good side, "Fine. Whatever. I do have a question though. I was wondering if I could possibly teach a class on my own one day."

Snape quickly answered, "Yes, you may."

"Wha-?" I stood dumbfoundedly.

"I said yes." He repeated himself, knowing I couldn't believe his words. Then he threw in, "Sometime this week even, if you want."

I nodded and smiled girlishly, like a cheerleader on crack. If only I could rewind time and make my smile more bearable. I took the moment to return to my room and soak in all of the out-of-characterness that Snape provided me with today. And yesterday. He was proving himself to be a real person, not just an animal.

Not just.. Snake the Oxymoron.