Disclaimer: lalalalallala. hehe I own nothing but my plot and chars.
A/N: Wow.. I actually wrote all that nonsense she said in one sitting. I didn't break to read it or anything. Holy crap. Anyways, I guess that's why they say you act like the character when you write them. I swear I'm so tapped into the characters it's not funny. I need to watch Harry Potter again. That was random.
Chapter 10: Honest Simplicity
"Care to run that by us again, but in normal, slow terms?" Hermione asked me after my fast speech of nothingness.
I took a breath and said, "I don't really remember what I said. I probably meant most of it, though."
"You like Snape?" Draco bluntly questioned.
"What? I didn't say that."
"You said," Gwen put Ringo on the table, "that you wanted to be more than an acquaintance with him, and that you liked him... It was along those lines anyways."
Trying to repeat the spiel, I realized what stupid things I said. My nickname for Snape was thrown in there, along with something about wanting to know why he wants me to teach. It wasn't too hard to figure the rest out, for my words weren't that sloppy. The more I thought about what Draco told me, the more I wanted to know why. Why didn't Snape fight with me everyday? Is it on account of what Draco's dad had said, or was that all a lie? Damn me and my never-answered questions... These questions would be answered, or I shall be struck dead by ...something sharp.
My mouth began moving again, "I did say I wanted to be more than acquaintances. I want to be his friend, that's all. Everything else...I just basically want to know if what Mister Malfoy said was true or not, and why Snape feels like he has to pretend to be amicable. His teasing is so unnatural and unnerving. Maybe Lucius is right. It would fit with Snape's attitude lately, but then again maybe he as another reason I don't know about."
"Ask him.." Hermione declared, "Just ask him. Straight out, no joking interrogation. You told me how passive you felt when asking to teach, so why not go opposite for once? Show him you mean business and he can't turn you down. I know he told you that you were able to teach, but that was a minor question that hasn't even happened yet. Why not badger him into telling you why he's so abnormal lately?"
Headache time. I replied, "I guess so. After all, he's only acting like this to me, so there has to be an explanation. I'll ask tonight."
Little did I know the day would fly by in spite of my anticipation. Where was that serenity potion when I needed it?
0o0o0o0o
Supper came and left at Hogwarts. Persuasion to go interrogate Snape tonight came from Hermione everytime I glanced at her. She would whisper, You can do it, and, Don't turn back as if I were climbing a gigantic mountain or doing a dangerous act. Metaphorically speaking, Snape was a mountain I would have to climb to the top to receive any answers. Meaning, attack and keep going or I will never know. Great.. This also meant I had to be aggressive, which was not possible for me.
"Professor Snape?" I knocked on the classroom door, "You in there?"
The voice responded, "Yes, come in."
Upon entering, I smelled scents of cinnamon and peppermint. Insense made me tired, easy going, and incapable of pulling this aggressive thing off. Maybe I should leave.
"Can I help you, Miss Maguire?" Snape lured me in by just standing near the chalkboard. What a perfect place to scream.. I was so utterly not ready for this. I was looking for landmines, and found one to put off myself.
Closing my eyes for a second, I enjoyed the moment of peace before initiating Plan 1: Interrogation of the Snake Kind.
I started quietly, "I need to talk to you for a few minutes, Professor. It's really nothing crucial, but something I personally want to know."
He inched closer to the front row of desks, where I was standing. How did I get here? Oh yeah...walking.. That thing you do with two feet, or one depending if you have a wooden leg or not.
"Well?" Snape snapped me back into reality.
I couldn't avoid it now, "Well...You've been acting rather strange lately. See, we always fought and quarrelled, but now it's barely happening, most likely being replaced by conversations and teasing. I need to know if there's something wrong with you mentally, or are you just setting me up for some big let down? Why are you being nice to me?"
"In the simplest, most honest answer, I am being friendly because I respect you. You are no longer than immature orphan girl that once thought standing up for herself only included shouting. Now, you stand up for yourself by actions, mature words, and cooperation. I treat you as an equal because you are one. We will always have our quarrells, no matter what, just not always in the form of yelling." Snape sighed and added, "Also, I am being slightly nicer because I want you to stay in this job. There won't be anymore open spots for the E.Y.P's for another six years, so I'm making sure you aren't turned off of the teaching profession by my ...cruelty and thin patience."
"Good." My matter-of-fact voice kicked in, "I'm glad that is settled. I suppose I should leave you be now. Thank you for being honest, Professor Snape. I didn't expect you to answer so smoothly."
He raised his eyebrow, "What did you expect?"
"Uhh...Nothing... Another fight, I suppose."
"Well, you supposed wrong. Get out of here before I do find something to fight over." He turned around and went to his desk.
Sitting down on my unoccupied bed, I pondered about everything that just took place. Ok so I wasn't that aggressive.. At least I got the answers, right? And.. What was with everyone questioning the one line about me wanting to be Snape's friend? I don't want to be his enemy, so I don't see the shock in that. I would never like Snake the Oxymoron in any other way, for it's wrong and...it's wrong! Besides, I don't believe in love. Also, Snape has nothing that I like in the male species. Sure he's somewhat charming when he wants to be, or slightly humorous and sincere, but you could find that in anyone.
Journal time..
0o0o0o0o
Ten p.m. at night and nothing to do. Boredom. Lonliness. I have too much energy to sleep. Oh, I can't tell time either, for it's eleven p.m. Hmmmm... Late night stroll, anyone..?
Taking my wand, I opened my door slowly, so the old hinges wouldn't squeak loudly, and walked into the dungeon hall. Obviously I wouldn't use a light spell yet because Snape would surely wake up. His door was ajar, which meant I had to run down the hall without him hearing me stir. So I dashed to the end of the hall in the darkness, finally saying 'lux' to see the light emit from the tip of my wand. How about that! A wand and flashlight all in one! Hehe.
My mind wasn't very alert, so I didn't know exactly where to go. If I went to Hermione, or any of my friends for that matter, they would probably get in trouble. So, I decided the best place to relax would be outside, but then remembered it was night, and I would probably be eaten by some creature like the one eyed, one horned, flying, purple people eater. There was one place that I barely ever visited, but was a nice escape. The owlery, which was one of the highest towers in the school. Harry had mentioned it to me last year. I guess there's a big enough gap in the wall, where the owls fly away and back, to see the stars and moon at night. In other words, a perfect place for a dreamer like me.
Up the Grand Staircase, trying to recall the directions towards the tower. If I kept going up, I would only come across the seventh floor, which had no way to the tower. Oh, I needed to go on the third floor, down the Defense Hall, across some hall with a statue, and up the stairs.
On the third floor, I became close to the Defense room. I saw another shining light down the hall, and hoped to God it wasn't any authority..Like Filch. To my advantage, it was Draco.
"Hey Ferret Boy," I greeted quietly.
He jumped, "What are you doing up here? Out for some trouble? Or did Snape get rid of you?"
"I wanted a stroll. I'm going upstairs to the owlery where I can sit and stare at the stars for awhile."
"Watch out," He chuckled, "Or you'll get owl waste on your head. I wouldn't go up there if I were you."
My thumbs started to twiddle, "Where can I go then?"
Another male voice was heard, "To bed."
Damn, Lockhart! Draco didn't say anything on Lockhart's entrance into the conversation. Neither did I.
Poptart continued, "Why don't you go to bed, Miss Maguire? And Draco, finish that errand I asked of you."
"Sir," My thumbs twiddled more, "isn't it a bit late for errands? It's not my business, but Draco should be the one going to bed."
"My dear Maranda," It sickened me hearing my first name from the Fruitcake, "You both should be heading to bed, but I asked Draco for a quick favor. I think you should go back to the dungeons before Filch comes around the corridor. He was on the second floor, so any minute now he'll be coming upstairs."
How the hell would I escape down the Grand Staircase without being seen now?
Draco noticed how shaky I was now, "Professor, do you really think Filch is on his way up here?"
"Yes," He nodded, "I don't lie." Sighing, Poptart became my savior, "Miss Maranda, you can stand in my classroom until Filch is gone. But after tonight I don't want to catch you strolling around without permission. Understood?"
Amen. "Yes, thank you so much, Professor."
The three of us entered the Defense Classroom and Gilderoy shut the door. He lit a few candles and waited to hear the footsteps of Filch and his cat, Mrs. Norris. Only a few motionless, speechless, thoughtless moments streamed by before we heard Filch's mumbling getting closer and closer. Poptart saved me from the filthy Ficlhness of the school. After he was out of range, Draco and Lockhart said goonight to me. I returned the comment and was about to leave when Poptart stopped me at the door.
"You'd better not come up here at night anymore. Filch is such a...senile old man, no offense, and would do anything to upset you. Worse than any fight you've ever had with Snape. Goodnight, Maranda, and I hope you'll come visit during the day sometime."
Smiling, I only said, "Of course, Professor. Goodnight. Don't keep Draco up too long. Ferret's need there sleep too."
Making my fast way down to the dungeons, I dodged any sign of life by shutting my light spell off once I reached the first floor. I knew how to get to my room from here. I was still very surprised that Lockhart let me in the room. Sure, he was nicer than any professor I'd met, but I hadn't expected him to be welcoming this late at night.
As I plopped into bed gratefully, I realized the honest simplicity about tonight...
The night was pointless. The night was random. But the night was fun.
