Author's Note: I do not own the Harry Potter world or the characters created to live in that world, they belong to J.K. Rowling; Although I am more than willing to adopt a few of them as soon as she's done with them. Thank you. Please comment if you feel so inclined
I know I'm crushing poor Remus' hand, but he's taking it well, just patting my hand comfortingly. Since Mad Eye Moody isn't around I had to hint to Harry to use his broomstick in this competition. It came up in conversation since he kept talking about the challenge and I said, "Just don't forget your broom." Because I remember him using his broom to get away from the fire breathing creature from hell.
He looked at me wide eyed, "What do you mean?"
Then I remembered that Moody might have been the one to suggest that. "Just don't forget to use your broom." I wasn't about to go into detail, this is Harry Potter world where we try and pretend he's doing everything on his own. From what I've seen, a true hero is never a lone hero they always have lots of help.
"Come on Harry." Remus whispers as we watch. Then Harry calls his broom, gets the egg, Gryffindor cheers and I sigh in relief. Remus looks surprised, "How did he think to do that?"
I look away and take a sip of my tea, shrugging.
Remus looks at me suspiciously.
I pretend to be injured, "What? I'm just drinking my tea!"
"Do I even want to know?" He sighs.
I pat the seat next to me, "Have some chocolate and tea. You'll feel better."
He gives me a look, then smiles and laughs.
I grin at him.
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"I'll ask her, eventually." Ron says, shuffling around.
"No, you won't ask her eventually! You're going to ask her now." I say, frowning. I hand him some flowers, "Go, now. Don't make me follow you either!"
"But the Yule Ball was just announced!" He whines.
"You're running out of time, GO! And if you tell her that I'm hurrying you I'll give you detention, I swear it!" I hiss.
Ron nods and goes off to ask Hermione to the Yule Ball. I've only known them a year and a few months and I'm already tired of the sexual and emotional tension between those two. Severus has caught me a couple times considering his love potions thoughtfully. He wasn't pleased.
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"Professor Tingstrom, two boys asked me to the Yule Ball!" Hermione says as she runs into my office.
I look up from my book, I was expecting this. "That's lovely dear."
Hermione sits in front of my desk, "It's Ron and Viktor Krum! I haven't said yes to either of them yet. What should I do?"
I sigh, "Hermione, you've had a crush on Ron for a long time now. You've just met Viktor Krum, and he's leaving soon. You're an intelligent girl, figure it out."
She frowns, then looks thoughtful, "Ron?"
I smile, "There you go. Now you should probably go tell the poor boy before he has a heart attack."
She grins, "Thank you Professor Tingstrom!" She leaps over to me and hugs me.
It startles me at first and then I smile and hug her back. If Ron lets the cat out of the bag I'll skin him alive.
Hermione is still grinning as she runs out to go tell Ron her decision.
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I told Harry that Cho had told me that she's going to the Yule Ball with Cedric Diggory (which is actually true, but I would have told him that either way) and told him to go ask Ginny to the Ball. He looked uncertain but I gave him a look of death and he went. Then when Neville came in telling me he didn't have a date I sighed and said, "Ask... LUNA!" He'd looked as if he hadn't thought of it before and then ran out before another word was said. I may not be able to help much with the competition, but I can help with this. I've never been much of a matchmaker, but this isn't matchmaking as much as it's forcing kids to be with the ones they want. That I can do. I'm older, wiser, and scary so do what I say giggle.
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"You have to be the most meddlesome woman I've ever met in my entire life!" Severus screams after I've admitted to helping the kids find dates.
I bat my eyes at him, "Everyone needs a hobby."
He glares at me, "Why couldn't you take up sewing, or drawing, or trying to poison me like a normal woman?!?"
I smile sweetly at him, knowing it'll make him angry, and coo, "But I don't want to poison you my love."
He gives and exasperated sigh and sits down, covering his face, "You're going to get into trouble Katherine. You're going to be trying to help someone and you're going to make someone else angry at you for it. Then they're going to come after you, trying to kill you, and I'll lose you. I don't want to lose you Katherine, I don't."
It's then that I remember who I'm in love with. Severus Snape, a man who is treading a fine line between death eater and good man. It wouldn't take much to get him or me into trouble if I try and mess with things. But how can I just sit back and let things happen? I shake my head, the students will figure out a way. They've still got Dumbledore and Lupin, they don't need me. I'll just stop meddling for the rest of the year. I sit next to Severus and say, "I'll stop."
He looks up at me, suspicious, "Really?"
I nod, "I promise not to meddle any more this year. If a student has a problem, there are other professors."
He doesn't seem to believe me.
I shake my head; I don't even know that much so I shouldn't be helping anyway. "I won't. Really I won't. You're right, I shouldn't meddle."
He just looks at me.
I sigh and look down at my hands, "I just worry is all. I know that you've noticed… I know things and... I'm frightened. I'm frightened and I don't know how else to deal with it."
He sighs and pulls me into his arms, "I don't know what to tell you Katherine. These are dangerous times and I'm a less than opportune person to be attached to right now. But as long as I'm around, I'll protect you. We'll take things as they come, together."
I give him a small smile, "That's one of the nicest things you've ever said to me."
He kisses the top of my head, "Well then… I should probably work on that."
I shake my head and kiss his neck, "No… I like you the way you are. I like us the way we are." I take his hand and rest my head on his shoulder, "I don't want to lose you either."
He gave a slight chuckle, "I still believe you're insane for that."
I chuckled, "Believe what you want Snape."
He rolled his eyes, but I could tell he was trying not to smile when he said, "I will."
I wrapped my arms around his neck, "Please don't do anything hasty. Please, for me, be as clever and suspicious as you need to be to stay around. It doesn't matter if we get separated, just as long as you're safe."
He holds me close, "I can't promise to be safe, but I promise that I'll try to be."
"Good," I say as I nuzzle into him.
"And you'll promise me the same?"
"Yes."
He nuzzles into my hair, "Good. And you'll stop associating with the Griffindors?"
I laugh, "Don't push it."
He smirked, "It was worth a try."
I smiled up at him, "I love you Severus Snape." I ran my fingers gently through his hair.
He smiled slightly, "Appreciated." He moved my head to rest on his shoulder again.
I sighed contentedly and let my mind wander to more pleasant things.