Disclaimer: I own nothing except for my story and plot and whatever. Not J.K's stuff.
A/N: Thank you Gwenny and Amanda for those wonderful reviews. I shall write more for you in this early 8 a.m. hour of the morning.
Chapter 13: Lounge
Dancing around when making my bed never happened. For some reason, my great night's sleep made me feel so enthusiastic when I awoke. I sniffed the air and smelled not vanilla, but lavender.. The mother of all scents, in my opinion. Lavender was relaxing and calming, but also very awaking and alluring. Today was my first Wednesday off from working with Snape. I looked around my room and realized I was getting very sick of green walls.
Managing to reach breakfast rather early, even before Hermione, I had to sit alone with Snape. There were other teachers and students in the hall, but no best friend beside me. This was probably the first time I had nothing to talk about.
"You ever see the teachers' lounge?" Snape suddenly asked me.
I shook my head.
He continued, "You and your fellow friends are allowed in it from now on. It's located on the second floor, behind a portrait of a galloping horse and maiden. You can only access it by password, which is honeystone. Dumbledore thought it best for the professors to tell their helpers, instead of making an announcement for everyone to hear. We don't want students floating about in our area."
"That's cool. When are we able to go?"
"Anytime you want, even later at night, as long as you have a professor with you after cerfew."
A subtle grin appeared on my face, "Thank you for telling me." I finally figured a conversation starter, "Since when did you start using lavender? I know that was off-topic, but I could smell it this morning and ...I never knew you used it."
Snape offered to pour me some more orange juice, and answered, "I just purchased it from an herb and aromatherapy store near Hogsmeade. Thought I would try some. I am fond of it, but lavender is not really my type."
"Well, if you don't like to use it often, may I have it? You don't have to let me, if you don't want, but I was only wondering. I love lavender." Maybe I asked too quickly, or he didn't comprehend what I said. I waited patiently to hear any answer at all.
Almost in a satisfied sigh, Snape replied, "I'll tell you what. You teach a class tomorrow, and I will give the lavender incense to you."
A bargain? This was a definite first for Snakey. "Deal," I reached out my hand, indicating to shake it for an official seal of the deal.
Lifting his hand from his lap, Snape took my hand in his, and shook. He smirked, and put his hand back down. My stomach suddenly felt a surge of electricity shoot through it. . .The hand of the Snake was not as rough as I had imagined it. Of course, I knew this when I waltzed with him last year. My stomach's reaction was most likely caused by the question of which class I would teach tomorrow. I sure as hell didn't want to teach Bianca's class. But he knew this, so Snape wouldn't purposely make me do that...Would he?
Guess I have to wait to find out. Stay tuned for a dramatic conclusion to my soap opera, "As The Wand Turns.." Hahaha.. ok not funny. Time to escape my stupid thoughts before I get myself into trouble.
I dashed up to the second floor, immediately spotting a portrait of a galloping horse and maiden, who was picking apples from a tree. I approached the picture slowly, just gazing at it until some students passed, and then said the password. The portrait swung open and I hurried in before anyone noticed. There was a narrow walkway as I entered, and I walked down it carefully. The tight space made me feel a bit uncomfortable. Once I reached the end of the walkway, there was a wooden door. I opened and stepped through the doorway, finally entering a large room.
The teachers' lounge was not too different from a common room, except roomier and a few other small things. The couches were gold-colored, with fringe on the bottom. There was a portrait on the wall of an orchestra, which was actually playing some mozart. Walls were painted a navy with sky blue accents. So many details to see, and too little time to absorb it all at once.
"Maranda!" Draco popped up from behind the extra-large gold couch and grinned.
I hurried over to him, "Draco!"
Sitting on one couch was Draco, Hermione, Ron, and Gwen, with her pet lizard laying lazily on her shoulder. I sat between Hermione and Draco, waiting for a conversation to begin.
"So, Maranda," Draco started on me, "I suppose you and Snape are getting along?"
Shrugging, I replied simply, "I guess so. No bloodshed yet."
Ron peeked his head over to me, (he was sitting next to Hermione), and teased, "Well, why would someone who loves you make you bleed?"
"Ron," Gwen moved to the spot next to Draco, "Don't be stupid today."
In his defense, Red-Head said, "I'm only stating truth. Isn't that right, Hermione? Didn't you tell me that Snape's been looking at Maranda differently lately?"
"Yeah," She admitted, but sounded a bit annoyed, "but I meant that he respected her."
"Sure.. He respects her alright.. He respects her lips, her chest, her hips, and her-"
"Hey!" Draco interrupted Ron, who was going too far. "Enough of that. Besides, you don't even let Maranda state her part. I bet you she doesn't even want to work with Snape anymore."
Gwen mumbled, "We should keep it down.. This is a teachers' lounge after all.. But go ahead, Manic-Mara, tell us how you feel."
Swallowing a lump in my throat, I calmly spoke, "I think he's alright. Nothing wrong with him. Respect. That's all."
Again, Ron opened his fat mouth, "Is that how you feel about Snape, or his bed sheets? I bet you love him deep down inside...Inside the covers that is.."
"God, Ron!" I shouted, "Will you ever shut the hell up about this? Are you jealous that Snape actually gets along with me? Is there something wrong with me actually enjoying my work for once? Sure, he isn't the best damned person on earth, but right now he's proving better than you! I don't love him! I don't even like him more than a friend.. Is that terribly wrong? That I don't like him?"
Why, God, Oh freaking why? Unless my eyesight has gone crazy..
"You have a problem with me, Miss Maguire?" No, my eyesight is perfect.. Snape had heard...Well, I don't know how much he heard, but no good parts obviously.
I noticed Ron back up into his seat, apparently melting from the anger and heat rising from Snape. Goldilocks Poptart was behind him. They must have entered together, but either way I was now screwed over.
My small voice stumbled over words, "I...uhh...No...No..problem. Just Ron...Always..umm.. Sir.." I coughed, and tried to no longer sound like a scratched record, "If you were here to hear the whole thing, Sir, you would know that Ron has taken it upon himself to tease me alot about working with you. He thinks..Well, it's scary what he thinks, but I have no problem with you." I couldn't believe I just practically told him what Ron thinks of us.
Glancing at Ron, then back at me, Snape replied cooly, "You may say it over and over, but I now know you do have a problem with me. Do not blame Ron for what I heard. If you have such a problem working with me, why not quit? Before you're fired."
"Professor.." Ron raised his voice as I sunk into my seat, "It wasn't her fault. I always egg her on and she was only trying to shut me up."
"Of course," Snape turned to Red-head and scowled, "her little companions always stick up for her when she is stuck for words. How childish. I say you all grasp onto reality and gain some independence before you miss it entirely. As for you, Mr. Weasley, don't try and take the blame. For once, Miss Maguire has no backup plan. Let her sink in her misery this time. Maybe it will let her taste what we all go through. Get her head out of the clouds."
My mouth was dry, fists tightened. Head in the clouds? I stood without realizing it, and Snape's back was turned. He was walking towards Lockhart, who clearly knew I was upset. Hermione tried to pull me back in my seat, but I looked at her and said, "I know what I'm doing."
"Don't do anything irrational," Gwen responded, "You look at him the wrong way and Booga Booga, there he is, ready to pounce."
Like a Snake.
My fists are let go, hands free by my side as I sluggishly approach Snape. Lockhart was telling him to appologize to me, but Snape didn't speak. Everyone knew if he stayed silent long enough, someone would get the hint and leave him alone. Especially poor Lockhart, who motioned to Snape that I was behind him.
No farther than a few inches away. Heart beating harder and faster. Breath quickening. The black-robed man turns to me, cocking an eyebrow and waiting for something he is unsure of.
"Snape," My eyes swell up with tears that I hold back, "For Merlin's sake... You are the one who needs to get your head up from the ground and out from the clouds. All you heard was something about me not liking you... Well, sometimes I don't. Sometimes I downright hate you. But you just don't understand what Ron says everytime I see him. If you only knew... My friends are well aware of reality, as am I. I think it's you who needs to be smacked very hard with reality. If you don't want me to work with you, fine, but don't expect me to beg. I'm not some filthy little female who is desperate for comfort or anything for that matter. So before you think you can act like a parent again...Take some advice; I have been parentless all my life, and no God-forsaken, miserable creature like you is going to start treating me like their child. Why don't you, for one freaking time in your life, mind your own business and not care what people say about you."
I didn't want to wait for a fight, or any reply. I just walked away with trembling hands. How badly I wanted to hit him, smack him, punch him, push him... Hug him so hard he cannot breathe. I heard Gilderoy behind me, running to me as I left the teachers' lounge. Why was he following me?
"Miss Maguire," I let him catch up to me. He pressed on, "He doesn't want you to stop working with you. Just letting you know. The best way to get through to him is to not give up your work position and show him that it takes more than some bad temper to stop you. Your friends want you to go back and sit with them, by the way."
Sighing, I decided it was best to stay away for awhile. I was terribly pissed at Ron.
"Tell them I'll be alone for awhile. I need time to think, Sir." My vague smile was all that I left with Gilderoy.
My destination was not the library, but Hagrid's hut. The school bell rang indicating the start of another class. Meaning Snape was no longer in the lounge. I could've gone back, but I felt it was too late. Plus, I figured Hagrid knew Snape well enough to help me figure everything out.
The air outside was brisk, but peaceful. No breezy wind to tossle my hair around. No loud, yelling winds to make me too meak to stand tall.
Knock Knock
"Maranda?" Hagrid opened the door, questioning my sad appearance, "What's wrong?"
"Can I come in and explain?"
Nodding, Hagrid held the door open for me while I entered. I immediately took a seat on his huge couch and took a deep breath. He sat across from me and waited for me to start talking.
once I spilled every detail of the day to Hagrid, he sat still, dumbfounded.
"Snape is complicated.." Hagrid chose some words to initiate a response.
I blurted, "Understatement."
He continued, "Yeh' ever think that what he heard hurt his feelings? He may be Snape, but he is still capable of being torn."
"Well, yeah...but.. I mean.. He didn't even shout. He just scolded me with calm, but harsh words. That's why I was so stumped. I don't think he's hurt badly though.. It's not like I'm important to him."
"Maranda, if he's been nice to yeh for this long, do yeh think it's because he hates yeh? Or that yer' insignificant? Believe me. I know Snape. Not terribly well like he knows himself, but I know enough to say that he does not hate yeh. I also know that maybe yeh should show him that yer' sorry."
Yeah...I'll show him I'm sorry..
Even though Hagrid was a great help, I couldn't stay any longer. All these strange emotions were nibbling at my stomach. I felt guilt for approaching Snape with the same weapons of choice as he did to me. I additionally felt sorry for him. Snape wasn't a popular man, and I was trying to be a friend. So how would I feel if one of the only friends I had was heard saying they didn't like me?
Awful.
More importantly, I felt completely icky because one of my friends was not very true to me. How many times in the last two and on years have I asked Ron to stop teasing me? Sure, some of the things he said were funny, even mildly humorous. But lately every tiny comment has made me upset. Almost defensive on both my and Snape's case.
Today's lesson: Snake's are vulnerable.
