Chapter Ten

Thursday, the 22nd

Severus had no idea why he was forced to have certain conversations with certain people. He had learned that the most important subjects, the ones that actually should be discussed rarely ever were even mentioned.

Most of the time those subjects are the first ones to be ignored and/or kept as a secret, which left only nonsensical stupidity or inane chatter in their place. Snape was known for his lack of patience when it came to anything he found idiotic, what actually filled up quite a long list. That was the main reason why he refused to talk about the obvious and meaningless, focusing his attention on what really mattered to him and the general situation he found himself in.

It was one of the things that had infuriated him the most about being a teacher. After all, children and adolescents were known for their appreciation for the imbecilic and they usually were too thick to grasp anything that was subtle and important. Albus Dumbledore had had a thing for going on and on in circles as well, talking about his sweets and any other nonsense instead of going straight to the point of his meetings.

That had always annoyed Severus. Before his first embarrassing demise, and before he developed an even stronger taste for the dramatic, Voldemort had cared only for straightforwardness. It was easier that way, he gave his Death Eaters less chance to fail to understand his wishes and normally resulted in successful missions, for it was indeed hard to miss the real implications behind orders such as "Torture the Longbottoms until they tell you all the information they have", or "Kill Joseph Bones and his whole family", or even "We shall rid the world of all traitors, mudbloods and muggles".

Curt, precise and direct.

Severus himself couldn't be arsed to talk in riddles – no pun intended. "It's 20 stirs clockwise and 10 counterclockwise", "I said chopping, not slicing, Weasley", "I'll get you expelled for this, Potter" or even, "If you really do need to curse him, make sure you won't get caught, Draco or you'll answer to me as well". Everyone got the message clearly enough and he didn't have to have useless longwinded chats, did he?

Snape had been just as clear two nights before when he told Mr. Hamilton that if his apprentice didn't give up that annoying and pathetic habit of doing his homework more than once every night, or if the boy insisted on making sure he had got his potions right over and over again, Severus would dismiss Ernest from their private lessons quicker than his pupil could list the ingredients of the Elixir of Death.

Apparently the threat had worked because now the dark circles under Ernest's eyes didn't look as pronounced as before and the boy actually seemed to eat during meals. Of course, the student looked overly tired still but it wasn't something that wouldn't be taken care of with just a few more days of actual rest. Besides, it wasn't as if Ernest Hamilton would look outrageously healthy this close to the full moon.

In Snape's opinion that was a subject that had been already dealt with and deserved no mention or even a rerun. As far as he was concerned the fact that any of it was only his student's business, and his to some extend, prevented any other person from intruding in the matter.

If said that anyone would indeed question Severus, or his pupil, about it merely on the sake of worry and good intentions, Snape had already a very good answer to give. As well as a very detailed instruction on what exactly this person should do instead of interfering.

Piotr had only once broached the subject, very subtly; asking Severus what he thought about Ernest's study schedule to what the Potions Master only replied that Hamilton was a rather disciplined and dedicated young man. Antokolsky never talked about it again, mostly because he had already sent his message and Snape had already acknowledged it as such.

As any other Slytherin, Durmstrang's Headmaster had left the matter in his former professor's hands, just as it should be done. But then again, it was maybe too much to expect that everyone would do the same.

Maybe not everyone, but it was exceptionally too much to expect from Durmstrang's resident Gryffindor.

So in ways, Severus figured he should have been expecting confront but after so many weeks of absolute ignorance and short words, he had let himself lax and now Snape was paying for his indulgence. It had always been obvious that Potter wouldn't let it go. When had he ever? In the young man's mind there was always an ulterior motive to everything Severus did.

The fact that all of Potter's assumptions had always been ludicrous and unfounded had never really stopped the Golden Boy before, had it? Hadn't been the Boy-Who-Lived's mind that had conjured up ridiculous reasons and justifications to back up Potter's conspiracy theories about Snape for seven years in a row?

Oh yeah, evil Snape wanted to steal the Philosopher's Stone, bully Snape cursed poor Potter's broomstick, creepy Snape was protecting Draco Malfoy the true heir of Slytherin, cruel Snape ruined Remus Lupin's life for the sake of being an unpleasant wanker, bastard Snape had charmed the Triwizard Cup to lead Potter to Voldemort and so on and so forth.

Harry Potter had been a crying, whining baby as a child, an irritation prone to tantrums as an adolescent and he continued to be just as insufferably righteous as an adult. Truth be told, Severus wasn't in the least bit surprised.

He hadn't been expecting the Dark Arts professor to barge into his office just after he had sent his students for lunch but that didn't mean Severus was surprised to see the unworldly green eyes sparkling with fury. Snape had seen that expression many times on Potter's face; it was the face that always settled whenever the potions expert poked James' son endlessly during class: the same face that had only hardened with an all-consuming desire for vendetta during a certain fateful night back at the Astronomy Tower. This older version wasn't as passionate, or revealing, but it didn't lack the determination, even if the murderous glint was dampened rather noticeably now.

Still, Severus hadn't been surprised when Potter's voice strained further with each word that left his mouth, nor was Snape surprised to find the younger man's hands balled into fists at his sides.

What indeed put the ex-spy on hold was the motive behind the scene he was witnessing, the reason behind all the indignation that Potter clearly kept on an iron grip to keep himself from yelling like his 15 years-old had at one time. The voice quavered but mostly with the effort Potter was putting into it to stop himself from bellowing his frustration, and even though his emerald eyes shone threateningly, the sneer he had on his face was deceivingly cool and casual.

It was staggering to see how much indeed the boy had grown and changed. If he had been anyone else, Severus would actually be impressed. As it happened, he couldn't be more indifferent at the display.

'You're putting him through suicidal shifts!' the young professor said harshly, interestingly refusing to flush even in his irate state.

'Do cease to be dramatic, Potter', Severus replied dismissingly not bothering to look up from the essays he was putting in alphabetic order.

For a moment Snape believed they were done with but Potter being the unpleasant whelp he was, didn't leave, as he should have had. It was more than clear that Severus wasn't going to indulge him, regardless of what scene he was planning to pull off, the subject of Ernest Hamilton's health was not one Snape cared to discuss anymore. He had said everything he had to say to Mr. Hamilton himself, so Severus certainly wasn't about to have that discussion again, or any other that wasn't absolutely necessary really, with Potter.

But the Golden Boy just wouldn't take a hint.

'He barely sleeps, Snape! He barely eats! He almost passed out in my class!'

'Than you should revise your academic program', Snape replied smoothly with irritating smugness 'If not even your best student is able to keep up, then surely you are doing something wrong. As usual.'

'Stop it', Potter hissed, apparently unconscious of the stretching of the consonant 'You know all of this is your doing, you won't get me to give in to you on this, Snape.'

If he were the type; that would be the time when Snape would have laughed. As it happened, he merely snorted and managed to convey so much contempt in that one sound that it was a wonder that Potter didn't try and hex him.

'I certainly do not remember a time in my life when I needed anything from you, Potter'; he replied challengingly 'Least of all your acceptance or permission to do anything I deem necessary.'

Even though the Golden Boy remarkably got a hold on his temper that didn't mean he hadn't been affected by the words, or the noise that followed them, but instead of showing one of his childish tics, Potter's body went completely taunt.

'Of course not', the younger man countered with the same tone 'You've always made it very clear that you'll do whatever the bloody hell you want …consequences to other people be damned.'

That made Snape's eyes narrow to slits, his hands closing into tight fists. Who did the boy think he was? It was best he didn't even attempt to get Snape to unbury the past because Boy-Who-Lived wouldn't handle the experience. Potter had no idea how Severus was even more ruthless with the dead than he was with the living.

'Don't try to pretend you know me, Potter', the Potions Master spat the surname in a way he hadn't done in a very long time 'You won't ever get to scratch the surface.'

That seemed to really get a reaction from his former student and suddenly all the magic that had been cackling around them until then vanished. Snape hated the fact that he had lost control, even if infinitesimally and because of Potter no less but he'd chasten himself later for now he was too busy trying to read the Savior's indescribable expression.

It was the same aloof but polite look Potter had whenever Snape was around; the voice was unstrained, even if slightly lower and deeper than normal, but steady.

It was the same expression and voice that had made Severus Snape believe that his sacrifices had been for nothing, months ago at that art gallery. The green eyes sparkled with the same cold dare and detachment they had then.

'You spent most of your life lying, deceiving and living in a double standard policy that makes every single terrible thing you do to people justifiable while any small and inconsequential offense to your person deserving of capital punishment', the younger professor replied slowly and calmly before he cocked his head to the right, a dark smirk on his face 'Am I scratching your surface, yet?'

Severus didn't even bother to respond and apparently Potter wasn't waiting him to for they both whipped their hands from out of the confines of their robes in record time, instinctively reaching and pointing out their wands at the other's throat. They would have used them without a second thought if the classroom's door hadn't flung open in that exact moment, snapping them out of their hatred-induced haze.

Piotr stood at the door, his face impassive and calm but his eyes shinning with wariness and weariness. He looked young and wise, in a way that not everyone his age did. It was the look of someone who had seen much, more than he should have had and had learned much more than most people did from it.

It was in that moment that Snape realized why his Slytherin had been chosen as Durmstrang's Headmaster, even though Piotr had been one of the two youngest members of the staff at the time. Antokolsky knew how to captivate his students' attention, respect and admiration; he also earned his professors' loyalty and support completely. He wasn't a natural leader, but he was a natural adviser and sometimes the last was better than the first.

'Severus, Harry', he said firmly and evenly '…I will give the two of you ten minutes to recompose and meet me at my office. Is that understood?'

Neither answered, as they continued to glare at each other.

'Will you answer me or do I have to Imperio you two to make sure you will follow my request?'

'We will be there, Piotr' was Potter's terse answer.

'Very good.' Antokolsky replied and turned his back on them, and without bothering to turn around he merely stretched out his right arm and hand.

He turned the palm towards the two men who still stood stiffly face-to-face, silently threatening each other in a silent promise of continuing the initiated duel as soon as possible.

The plan backfired when their wands flew out of their hold, going straight to the Headmaster's right hand. The spell had caught both of them completely off guard, for it had been cast without any sound, and mostly because they were guarded against anything that could come from the other in front of them, silently or not.

'I shall keep these until then, if you don't mind.' Piotr commented airily.

The three men sat heavily but straight on their respective chairs, separated only by an opulent desk made of Spruce wood, so much so that it made the desk at the highest tower of Hogwarts look plebian. Piotr never really cared about it but he couldn't help but notice that whenever he was at the office, Harry would surredipiously frown at the richness of the furniture.

Piotr was always amused to see his friend look uncomfortable whenever he was at the Headmaster's royal office, but then again that was the way Potter was -- Harry had complained at length about the size of his room when he first arrived at Durmstrang, claiming it'd take 100 years to make it look lived in if taken by a family of 20, let alone he who only used it to sleep in. But then again, Harry wasn't one used to appreciate luxury, and Piotr believed he never would, and what really surprised Antokolsky was the fact that he had caught a similar reaction from Severus.

The only difference was that the older man was sneering at the desk, while the Dark Art Master wrinkled his nose slightly. Piotr didn't take it personally, the desk had been there ever since the school was founded-- and it wasn't something he could change -- still, he couldn't help but wonder what had inspired such a response from Snape. As a Slytherin he should have been more than comfortable in such rooms, but it looked like that was not at all the case -- Severus seemed to be as skeptical about it as Harry always had been.

'Well, I must confess that it took you two longer than I ever expected', Antokolsky started, his voice dripping with irony '...considering your background, almost one whole month of peace was more than I ever dreamed of.'

'Are you trying to be amusing, Mr. Antokolsky?' Severus snarled displeased.

The response was immediate and most definitely anticipated but the irritated jade glint that came from the man next to Snape was enough to tell the Headmaster that Harry shared the Potions Master's sentiments.

'Not at all, Severus', Piotr replied undeterred but the sudden hardness in his ice-blue eyes was enough to discourage more interruptions 'I am merely stating my views on this abysmal behavior two highly qualified, if not the most qualified, members of my staff showed just minutes ago. Although I must congratulate you for choosing a deserted classroom for that little attempt of duel of yours, it'd have been most definitely worse if your theatrical act had been performed in front of the students.'

Harry had the decency of looking slightly embarrassed but Severus only looked dejected – what really meant he was also displeased with his behavior. Piotr had always known that something was bound to happen between those two but he hadn't expected it to blow over like that.

He was glad that he had been fast enough and prevented any real confrontation between the professors – Piotr could only imagine the result of the combination of those two fierce and explosive temperaments and their respective dueling expertise.

Nothing good, Antokolsky was sure – especially because the tension was building for over a decade.

'I do know it must be dreadfully difficult for you two to be working together, and so close, regardless of how distant you might be most of the time. Still, I am forced to remind you both of two very important facts', the young Headmaster leaned forward slightly and managed to capture two pair of eyes in his. Before continuing, and making sure he had both men's attention, Piotr turned to Harry.

'First, you were the one who, with much effort and insistence, persuaded Severus to join us, Harry. You told me many times during the summer how much you wanted him to fill your place as our Potions Professor and how you'd only give up the position if he was the one to take it from you.'

Potter looked decidedly put out by the revelation but Antokolsky didn't pay any heed at the scowl he was graced with. Piotr was sure that Harry would have never told Severus any of that and he knew the older man enough to know that if he wished the professors to achieve any kind of truce then something had to give.

Ignoring the suspicious glare Snape was sending Harry's way, the Headmaster waited until he had the former spy's attention and held Severus' bottomless gaze as he spoke.

'Second, I must remind you Severus that you took the offer and I am sure that you did not do it on a whim. Meaning that you were aware of the fact that Harry would be your co-worker here, at least for this year alone. If I am not wrong, and you two are free to correct me, you had reached a compromise on the necessity of your association.'

Snape and Potter were careful not to look at each other at all, as they took turn glaring daggers at Piotr. He might not have the easy going, irritatingly pleasant personality Albus Dumbledore had had – then again probably no one else did or would ever have – but in his own Slytherin way Piotr was managing to irritate both men in ways that neither had been annoyed in several years.

'That being', the pale blue-eyed brunette leaned back on his seat before continuing '…I'd really like to solve whatever problem you have developed, this time, so you can continue to ignore each other as best as you can.'

This time it was Harry who spoke what was clearly going through both his and Snape's mind, for his tone wasn't only disbelieving but also highly derisive. Only the sneer is messing, mate, Piotr thought amusingly but keeping the joke to himself.

'I thought you'd want us to befriend each other.'

'Oh, please, Harry' Antokolsky chuckled dismissively '…I'm a Slytherin remember? I just want you to stop trying to endanger my image as an exceptionally young, competent and dashing Headmaster', he said making sure he sounded exceedingly serious and earned twin ugly scowls for it '...other than that, as long as you don't kill each other or, dare I say, embarrass yourselves in front of your own students -- You can simply pretend the other dinning at your side is dead, and I wouldn't object in the least.'

Snape and Potter opened their mouth to answer the jest and the pleasant tone with which it had been delivered, but at the last moment they chose to censure themselves. Piotr was every single day more and more surprised at how very alike the two men were.

Still, it was clear that they weren't at each other's throat anymore and that was good enough for the Headmaster. If given the choice, Piotr would really preferred that they did get along, mainly for the sake of not having to always worry when Severus and Harry would lose it and try and kill each other, but Antokolsky knew that that was a moot point.

Durmstrang's Headmaster wasn't just kidding when he said that he wouldn't force them to do anything "unthinkable" – such as liking each other – but he was set on avoiding any confrontation. They were both adults after all, and Antokolsky expected them to act like such – at least, in front --or in the near vicinity-- of students.

'The behavior you witnessed today will not be repeated, Piotr' Severus grudgingly said after a couple of aborted tries.

'It won't happen again', Harry added firmly after taking his cue from their former professor.

'Good', Piotr replied sounding far too skeptical, if the sneer he got from Severus and the tightening on Harry's lips was any indication. Antokolsky grinned before making sure he brought the serious tone back to their conversation 'Now just so we can really put this behind us... Harry, I am very aware of Ernest Hamilton's tutoring and I have given Severus unquestioned autonomy to conduct his pupil's extra lessons and homework, as well as his teaching methods.'

Potter nodded a couple of times, his jaw tensing in resignation and to keep himself from interjecting.

'I talked to Mr. Hamilton', Piotr added trying to reassure his young professor '…and he assured me that he is more than willing to work as hard as Severus wants him to. I also made Ernest promise me that he will come to me, or Severus, if he ever thinks that he's got more in his hands than he can handle, but I am sure that from the three of us you are the most apt to know if Ernest will give up any time soon.'

Harry looked tensely reassured and the tinge of resignation was still present in his eyes as he forced himself to answer the unasked question.

'Ernest will kill himself trying to please, but he will not admit defeat.'

Antokolsky nodded in assertion and offered his friend a smile before continuing. Severus, Piotr noted, was drinking thirstily every single word said, but the Potions Master paid especial attention at Potter's reactions and words. It would have unsettled anyone else but Piotr knew that Harry had had over 5 years of experience on being under Severus Snape's hard and unforgivable scrutiny.

'…and I understand that nothing I tell you will make you worry any less about Ernest and his decisions but I must remind you, Harry, that they are still his decisions and no one will be able to convince him to take them back.'

Something about his words made Snape look up at him sharply and the Headmaster was momentarily stunned at the flash of plain in those usually depthless black orbs. Piotr had gotten that reaction from his former Head of House a few times ever since the beginning of term but he never dared to ask the older Slytherin about it.

The look was fleeting and Severus masked it so quickly that it usual left Antokolsky wondering if he had seen it at all. It was always like that, every glimpse of humanity was immediately squelched and hidden – Piotr knew better than most that only young snaklings who had once awoken screaming because of nightmares, and had been stiffly comforted by the big greasy old Snape, could ever know about these cracks in the armor. And that was why none of those snaklings ever said anything about it and fiercely protected Severus Snape -- because in a house where almost every children was taught from the crib to handle things on their own, the Potions Master had been much more than just a professor.

Of course, that didn't mean that Piotr – and anyone other Slytherin – didn't know how unfair and ruthless their Head of House could be. It was one thing to admire the man whole-heartedly and other completely different to overlook his many flaws. That was why Piotr knew that he had much to say, yet.

'Still, Severus', the older man tilted his head almost imperceptively in acknowledgement '...I am fully aware, as your former student and Slytherin that you are the best, and quite frankly the only one who can fulfill Ernest's ambitions satisfactorily. I also congratulate you on giving him such an opportunity but I must remind you that he has more than one responsibility.'

Realizing that a storm was about to break, Antokolsky raised his hand slightly asking for patience and time to continue his monologue. Normally he wouldn't be arsed to bore people, himself included, for such a long time but it was obvious that he'd have to really interfere this time.

That was something Piotr rarely did, really – it wasn't Slytherin's way to get into other people's business, least of all another Slytherin's business (especially when the chances of getting burned in the crossfire weren't purely hypothetic), but if Antokolsky was being forced to lecture two fully-grown wizards, then he would make sure he wouldn't have to do it again.

'I am not asking you to get soft on him', Piotr almost grinned when the narrowing of dark eyes told him he had assumed Severus' protest correctly '…I doubt you'd be able to and even if you did, Ernest wouldn't appreciate it--all I'm asking is that you try to be patient with the boy if it ever comes to it and do not simply take back this opportunity you offered him for the smallest mistake on his part'.

A look passed between them, a look that peaked Harry's attention and curiously evoked a rather deep frown but Piotr was too busy getting his point across to be analyze it '…I know you are far more patient than most people believe you to be, Severus, specially when you are so focused and inspired as you are now but I also know that you keep very high standards to those you see any kind of potential in.'

Not at all willing to let most of his thoughts show, even when there was no threat or reason to be suspicious, Snape took his time to respond. So much so, that Piotr was rather surprised that the Potions Master even saw fit to say anything at all.

'Ernest has proven himself more than worth of my patience, Piotr' the older professor informed with a carelessness that didn't completely hide the truthfulness of the praise '…for this very same reason I have relieved him from his duties for the weekend. As for his classes and homework, I have been working with Mr. Hamilton on a pace he himself set for his studies.'

Now it was Harry's time to study Snape meticulously and Piotr was impressed at the efficiency with which he did it. Potter had been known for his transparence not only on his thoughts, but most of all emotionally.

Ever since the final battled, after Harry woke up from his healing magical coma, he hadn't been his open, free self. Of course, everyone had been changed by the war – either by what they did, saw or what was done to them. Potter could easily fall in each category and even though he hadn't turned into a shadow of his younger self, Harry held things closer to his chest now.

He was still utterly pleasant, sincerely polite and more than merely uncomfortable with some people's adoration but Harry dealt with things and people rather differently. There was something more – Slytherin about him, Piotr realized a few years ago.

It wasn't something anyone else, anyone who wasn't a Slytherin, would notice and Antokolsky had taken years to pinpoint exactly what made his conversations with Harry so very familiar. It was as if he was back at his common room at Hogwarts and talking to one of his green-and-silver peers. Piotr had always been fascinated by the Gryffindor's natural ability of evoking people's complete trust and loyalty, even if that person was a Slytherin.

The only person who refused to acknowledge such changes was the very same person who watched Harry Potter like a hawk, with an intensity that bordered on religious adoration -- the very same person Harry had always suspected of in such an undue manner that it could be mistaken by blind obsession.

Still, Severus Snape completely ignored the hot inquiring emerald gaze that analyzed his every breath.

'Mr. Hamilton is very throughout and likes to make sure he has covered every single step of his lessons, at least twice', there was a hint of disapprove in Snape's tone but Piotr caught it and he was sure Harry had too 'I believe he dedicates the same amount of perfectionism to his extra homework and I doubt he'd allow any of his extracurricular activities to interfere in his scholar responsibilities.'

'I know, Severus, I know', Antokolsky conceded, knowing he had to push the buttons or he'd be led astray by the Potions Master's eloquence '…but I hope you do see Harry's reasoning as well?'

At his very mention, Potter cut in and halted both Snape – and his doubtlessly cutting and sarcastic remark – as well as Piotr -- and his attempt to keep the other Slytherin from making Harry bristle in anger again.

'It's not his extra classes and homework, it's the way he barely sleeps ...he's not eating much too', Harry shook his head in slight bewilderment 'He almost got hit by a hex because he lost his focus. When I got to him he was clearly suffering from nothing more than exhaustion …that's the second time this week that he has been hit or almost hit by serious and powerful hexes because he had spent most of the night working.' Here emerald eyes searched briefly for Snape's bottomless one before locking with the Headmaster's ice-blue gaze again 'I am really thankful to you Snape, for giving him this opportunity. It's everything he's needed... I just worry about him, that's all.'

'We know this, Harry', Piotr replied quickly to prevent Severus from berating Harry's honesty and to keep Potter from catching the sudden sincere astonishment in Snape's eyes '…but it wouldn't really have helped Ernest in the least if you two had gotten yourselves in the infirmary and he had missed both your classes and his extra Potions before the weekend, would it?'

'You're right. I am sorry …I really am.'

Severus was silent for a while, his eyes and features already schooled. Piotr couldn't help but marvel at how well he was able to read the smallest and most imperceptible signs from people – Antokolsky suspected it had something to do with his current position because he couldn't remember a time when he was able do it so well. It did make his job rather easier and Piotr used it as he could to help his friends and students -- all the while trying really hard not to meddle and only doing it when it was absolutely necessary.

Besides, Harry had already volunteered to hex him into oblivion if Piotr's eyes ever started to twinkle. It had been said only once, during a drunken stupor and Antokolsky doubted that the Gryffindor was kidding – Harry Potter never mentioned Albus Dumbledore, not even in passing.

'Mr. Hamilton and I have already talked about his agenda', Severus groaned the words as if he actually had to force himself to say them and Piotr was sure he had 'I supervised his new arrangements when it comes to his scholar duties all but two days ago. That being, I am sure that Mr. Hamilton wouldn't have agreed with my demands if he were not absolutely sure that he could meet the challenge head-on.'

Harry looked agog at the unmistakable compliment and Durmstrang's Headmaster had keep himself from smiling. When would those two realize that the one sat beside them wasn't a heartless prick or a stubborn child anymore?

What was certain was that it had only been one battle, the war was far from over and it was only a matter of time before the tension built up again but for the moment Antokolsky saw that little meeting as a well-earned victory.

'Good. I'm glad everything is settled.' Piotr replied, more than happy to end that extrenuous situation 'You may leave now; I do believe lunch is over and your students must be waiting for you at your classrooms.'

Piotr was aware of the fact that neither Severus nor Harry looked his way as they stood as one to leave. Holding back a Slytherin grin, Antokolsky watched as his professors marched simultaneously to the door, only to get in a somewhat hesitant dance around each other in their haste to leave.

That was the moment Piotr choose to conjure up two wands, while he pursed his lips into a thin line to keep laughter from bursting out of his mouth. The wands were unquestionably different and completely unmistakable: one clearly darker then the second, but both of the same size and thrumming as if anxious to be handed back to their owners.

'Oh, by the way' the young Headmaster said in a false airily tone and gestured theatrically at the wands on his desk'…your wands, gentlemen.'

Piotr was aware of the fact that both Severus and Harry didn't look at him as they turned around together to pick up their wands, before marching back to the door without any other inconvenience.

Chuckling to himself the Slytherin remembered that he hadn't asked who had started the quarrel, after all. It seems, Headmaster Antokolsky thought cunningly, that the staff's wager is still running.

Author's Note:

The lines: "(...)You won't ever scratch the surface", "(...) Am I scratching your surface yet?" were more or less taken from the movie Basic and mainly because I think they're brilliant so I don't see why anyone would sue me because of them and even if they did, it'd be a waste of time because I have absolutely no money at all.