"Severus," Molly Weasley asked him in a low, dangerous tone. "Are you insane?"
Severus lowered his eyebrows at her. He gripped a mug of hot cocoa in his hand. He glanced at Dumbledore, who was acting like he couldn't hear them.
The table in the kitchen of 12 Grimmauld Place was packed. Arthur, Bill, Charlie, Fred and George Weasley flanked one of the great oak benches. Remus Lupin, Mundungus Fletcher, Tonks, Kingsley Shacklebolt, and Mrs. Longbottom sat on the opposite side. Severus was leaning in a doorway, disconnected from the others in more ways than one.
"Yes, Molly," said Severus, crankily. "I've gone insane. I thought it would do for a nice change. A young bossy wife is just what I needed."
Charlie snorted cocoa out his nose and Bill pounded him on the back.
"She's never done field work, and she's not initiated yet," snapped Molly.
"Then why didn't your idiot son think to put in a request ahead of time, so I wouldn't have had to do this?" he barked back. "You'd think between the three of them, one could do math!"
"She's suitable for the task, Molly," replied Lupin calmly, reaching out for a tin of biscuits. "This is a stroke of luck for us all."
"I have to agree," Arthur looked at his wife. "Otherwise the Ministry will catch on and we'll lose her. If they think it's a farce we're done for."
Dumbledore, set his mug down thoughtfully. "Molly, they're not skulking around searching for Voldemort. I must say, Miss Granger is the most suitable person for any research project."
"Madam Snape, you mean," remarked Molly, turning her sights at Severus.
"I am not having this discussion," said Severus looking steadily at her. "I haven't touched the girl, nor do I plan to."
"It was arranged because it had to be," said Arthur. "Unless you think Percy should break his engagement off. He very nearly did, you know."
"No, of course not," said Molly, flustered. "I just don't think it's right. She's still in school."
"At least we could keep her there." Mrs. Longbottom scowled severely. The stuffed vulture on her hat bobbed in rhythm with her nodding. "Somebody else might have pulled her enrollment."
"She's so young," answered Molly shaking her head.
"Think of it this way," Arthur suggested as he put his arms around her. "When you were her age, you were a year away from establishing this fine family." He grinned at his offspring and winked at Severus as he kissed his wife on the cheek.
"Heaven forbid," declared Molly throwing a threatening look at Severus, who looked taken aback.
"I don't make it a rule to molest my students," Severus said stiffly.
"She won't be your student for long," remarked Fred, or George. "She's turned into quite the—"
"George!" squeaked Molly, horrified. Mrs. Longbottom stared at him in disgust. Tonks began to laugh uncontrollably as did the other Weasleys. Dumbledore just rolled his eyes and sipped at his cocoa.
"That was rude," said Bill laughing, his palm slapped to his brow.
"It's true," said George, or Fred annoyed. Kingsley shook his head in amazement that he had said what everybody else was not.
Severus waved his wand at the cocoa he spilled on his clothing.
"Sorry," responded George, poking Fred, not sounding sorry at all.
0
"How did the meeting go?" Hermione asked. She was curled up on the couch, reading a book when he came in.
"Molly Weasley was unenthusiastic over the Russia plan," said Severus, unwinding a black scarf from around his neck.
Hermione grimaced.
"We agreed that you are the most suitable individual for research positions, so she was overruled," said Severus.
"What's that?" Hermione asked, nodding at the brown paper-wrapped bundle, he pulled out of his robes.
"Potion ingredients," said Severus gruffly. "For the Sixth years."