Hermione and Professor Snape had been reading quietly (the boys busy upstairs cleaning and Molly in the kitchen as usual) for nearly an hour. Hermione Granger came to a particularly vexing question in the Advanced Transfiguration book she had been reading, "Professor Snape, may I ask you a tranfiguration question?"
"Do I particularly look like the Transfiguration Professor?" Snape shot back, his ire markedly out of proportion to her relatively (for a Gryffindor) polite question.
Snape's dark, penetrating eyes demanded a response, and Hermione suddenly responded, "No, in that you are neither female nor particularly feline." Hermione had a split second of How could I just say that to a Professor?!
And then, almost simultaneously, they both looked back at their books, continuing to read.
About five minutes later, Professor Snape spoke up, unprovoked, "Transfiguration was always my worst subject in school. Frankly, you're better off with the book." They continued reading as if Snape had said nothing, as Hermione couldn't figure out a way to respond when she hadn't been asked a question.
About an hour later, Weasley and Potter came cluttering down the stairs, in response to Molly's "Lunch time!" Weasley, as usual, hadn't the thought for anything more than "eat now" - so it was Harry Potter who looked in on Hermione -and then jumped at the sight of the professor.
"Professor Snape!?" Harry Potter called, more shocked than upset or scared.
Without looking up, Professor Snape said, "Yes, it is I. If you've missed my company so dearly, you are welcome to join us, so long as you remember to be quiet."
Harry Potter stood there with his mouth hanging open, and Hermione fought a sudden gigglefit.
Continuing, as if there hadn't been a good thirty second pause, "Otherwise, I believe i heard Mrs Weasley laying out lunch in the kitchen."
Harry Potter's stomach growled, as he threw back a "Thank you" over his shoulder.
Professor Snape said dryly, "Never did learn how to say sir, did he?"
Hermione Granger shook her head in amusement.
[a/n: The author invites you to Use Your Creativity in thinking about exactly what Professor Snape was thinking to himself over five whole minutes, before... apologizing.
Well, the author found it hilarious.
Leave a review! Back to Draco nexttime. He's been busyyyy...]