Chit Chat

Belongs To JKR

Professor Borenson was a balding heavy set man with a walrus mustache that resembled a caterpillar. If the mustache itself wasn't something disgusting the man was constantly sweating; at the temples, armpits, head it didn't matter. Severus had never liked the man nor the class but his opinions didn't really matter at the moment. Over a week had passed since his talk with Dumbledore and though he wished it wasn't so the time had come for his punishment.

"Well Mr. Snape I hope you gain something from this in the long run" Borenson wheezed

Severus took the course work outline paper from Borenson's hand which, to his disgust; was dotted with blotches of sweat.

"As do I sir"

"You did remarkably well in this class for someone in your house. Why you dropped it I'll never understand."

I only did well because Lily was in the class and I wanted to impress.

Severus had dropped it because, like the man said; he did remarkably well for a Slytherin. This proved to be a problem in his house with Rosier, someone at the time he couldn't risk alienating.

Good thing it was all worth it Severus thought bitterly.

"You'll be helping a third year Gryffindor; one Melissa Corey, I believe she's already in the library."

Severus nodded and left without another word.

The library much to Severus' distaste, was filled with a horde of Ravenclaw Seventh years. They were studying for NEWTS, far too early in Severus' opinion. He scanned the room searching for the girl, he belatedly realized he'd no idea of what she looked like. But then again maybe she could find him, after all there were only so many sullen looking Slytherin youths with greasy coal black hair. As he made his way past the various tables Severus noticed quick stares and mutterings from each student. Severus was use to this, when you looked like he did you developed a thick skin to that sort of thing. Oddly enough none of them were hiding poorly muffled snickers or giggles.

"Excuse me, are you Severus Snape?" a voice called

Severus sighed and turned toward, presumably, Melissa Corey.

"Yes."

Melissa was a short, stocky young woman with a hank of curly brown hair tied back into a messy bun. She had a smattering of freckles that ran across her nose and cheeks.

"I'm Melissa Corey"

"I'm aware, now if you'd sit down we can get down to your business"

If she was surprised by his curt demeanor she didn't show it.

"Of course." Melissa threw herself into the chair opposite Severus.

"I need help studying for my next test."

"I don't know what to do with that" Severus deadpans

"Uhh help me?" she asks; as if it's common knowledge

Severus pinches the bridge between his nose and eyes.

"I need you to bring out your coursework then I can figure out where to help you"

Melissa shuffles through her bag for about a minute before pulling out a pile of disorganized papers.

"Um where should I start?"

"This is your idea of organization?" Severus' eyes nearly bulge.

"Well kind of, I've been meaning to do some sorting but I haven't the time" She at least had the dignity to look abashed.

"Very well, let's get started, shall we? Now what work needs doing?"

Melissa looks up and down at the papers for a moment.

"Wait, I'm not sure if this is the RIGHT pile." She flips through a few of them "Nope this is Potions"

Severus drops his face into his palms.

Merlin help me.

An hour later a thoroughly frustrated Severus sits in the library waiting for the tension in his shoulders to ease. He'd made some progress with the girl but the idea of spending another minute, let alone hour with somebody like her tomorrow made his head hurt. There was another hour before curfew and Severus wanted some time to read and relax, an activity he reserved for the Common Room but due to recent events he'd been force to relocate here.

Severus would have loved to sneak into the Restricted Section and grab a book but at the moment the Librarian, Mrs. Gloanwater had orders from Dumbledore not to let him within a foot. So he settled for reading on The Life and Times Of Gellert Grindelwald.

Severus was startled out his escapism in the book by a claw like hand gripping his shoulder; Mrs. Gloanwater.

"The Library's closing." Her voice was a cross between a pig in the slaughter and a rusty door hinge squeaking.

Severus didn't respond; content to silently get up and go. He tried to take as much time as possible walking back, he was in no rush to meet his housemates. On the way their he noticed a small figure rushing towards him from down a corridor. It was a small first year Gryffindor, an expression of panic etched onto his pale face. He had a strawberry blonde hair that had been combed into a part rather hastily and kept falling into his face as he ran.

"Excuse me sir but I need help" He said in between gasps of breath

"Why?" Severus asked suspiciously

"I can't find the Fat Lady's portrait anywhere and I need to get back before I'm caught."

"How could you get lost? It's the middle of the year, surely you know where your house is by now" Said an astonished Severus

"I'm terribly with directions Sir." The boy said; staring down at his toes.

"I'm not your nanny boy, go find a prefect and explain what happened they'll understand. If they don't then it's still not my problem" Impatiently, Severus turned to walk away.

"Wait sir please" The boy's desperate cry didn't stop Severus, but his surprisingly firm grip on his robes did "I can't tell the prefects I'm not supposed to be out tonight."

"I"

Severus enunciated each word.

"Don't"

"Car-"

Suddenly he had an idea, a truly Slytherin one if he did say so himself. If Severus knew the prefects schedule correctly then that meant they'd be out soon, including Lily. If he could bring the boy to Lily with the excuse of taking him back to their House not only would he see her again but maybe, just maybe…..

Perhaps this is the final piece of the puzzle…if I use him correctly maybe it will gain for me the final amount of Lily's favor needed to rekindle our relationship .

"I won't take you to your Fat Woman" Severus said

"Lady." The boy corrected

Severus arched an eyebrow.

"Sorry." He gulped

"As I was saying, I don't feel like traipsing into Gryffindor territory for a foolish first year but I do know a Gryffindor prefect who will take you back without a fuss."

"A prefect ?! No. I can't-"

"Relax, she's an acquaintance of mine who will understand your situation. You'll go back to your common room and I won't have to take you. Everyone wins." Severus said in what he hoped was a soothing tone

The boy still looked doubtful

"Unless of course you have better idea?"

He shook his head

"Good, come along…..?" Severus trailed off

"Adam, Adam Cornworth."

"Alright Cornworth, let's go then."

"Just Adam"

"Don't push it."

Severus knew the prefects would be leaving from their usual meeting soon; each assigned their routes for the night. And though he didn't know for sure, he had a strong suspicion Lily would be patrolling the Great Hall area with Lupin based on past experience. It was a usual Monday routine that Severus had noticed while spying on prefect routes for Rosier, Mulciber and Avery. It was a risky leap but worth it all the same if it panned out.

As they made their way down the various halls and corridors Severus figured he might as well leave Cornworth with some good impression of himself to pass onto Lily. He started by feigning interest in Cornworth's situation.

"So why are you on the run from prefects Cornworth?"

"Well…It's kind of stupid" Adam said hesitantly.

"I'll decide that."

"Ok, well you see what happened was my friend David; he's a muggleborn, like me, except he's in Hufflepuff. I never see him except during History but when I do there's these Slytherin brats in the same year who tease us all the time."

"Indeed." Severus nodded his head as if he actually cared.

"Well about two days ago me and David are coming back from the Library like tonight but we both got lost and ended up running into those Slytherin kids again."

"Oh dear what happened" Severus said with feigned interest. He also decided he could act remarkably well when needed.

"Me and David fought all three and scared em' off" Adam said with no small measure of pride.

"Well then, you're quite the hero."

Adam blushed "Thanks um…?"

"Snape, Severus Snape."

"Thanks Severus, well too bad Professor McGonagall and Dumbledore didn't see it like that. Me and David are stuck cleaning trophies and stone for the next three weeks and have a strict curfew in effect for us."

"Which is why you needed my help tonight." Severus stated

"Yeah."

Severus thought for a moment. He remembered the fights him and Potter's cronies had gotten into during his first Year that was part of the reason he linked up with Rosier's group, they were protection. But he also remembered doing exactly what Adam was describing to other muggleborns in the same year.

Thank Merlin Lily never found out.

He justified it to himself by the logic Lily was an exception the rule.

"You're in Slytherin so you know how they can act right?"

"Only too well." Severus said cryptically.

They rested at a dark corner near the entrance to the Great Hall, waiting for Lily and Lupin to hopefully show up. After ten minutes Severus began to worry this was for nothing and cursed himself for his desperation. Until he heard a light bell like laughter float through the air.

Lily.

True to form, she showed up to the Great Hall on her route accompanied by her partner for the night…Potter?! As they walked past both Severus and Adam into the Hall he had to grit his teeth to contain the bile from spilling out.

Potter, and Lily, laughing? Merlin please kill me now and be done with it.

Deciding there was no time to waste, Severus left the shadows with Adam close in tow. Affecting a casual walk until they reached the entrance way where Severus leaned, in what he hoped was a "cool" style against the wall. Eventually Potter and Lily's route around the tables gave them a view of Severus and Adam and it wasn't long before he heard.

"Is that? SNAPE!" Potter laughed with savage glee.

Severus heard footsteps running but didn't look up from the floor

"Potter! Will you relax for a moment" Lily called after.

"Snape, I always knew I'd get you out here eventually but tonight? I couldn't have planned it better. You're breaking curfew by" Potter checked his watch "Ten minutes"

Severus stared at his nails before answering.

"That's fantastic potter but I didn't come here to turn myself in, I came to return him." Severus nodded towards Adam.

"Who?" Potter just seemed to notice Adam "Oh hello sir what're you doing with a slimy git like this?" He asked politely.

Adam narrowed his eyes in disapproval and for the first time Severus actually felt he had another Gryffindor on his side that wasn't Lily.

"He's not slimy." Adam spoke quietly

"Well that's up for deba-"

"Shut up Potter What's going on here Severus?" Lily had finally walked over "And who are you?" She asked, eyeing Adam up and down.

"He's a lost Gryffindor, I found him after I left the library. He said he needed to get back before curfew and I helped him, I didn't feel like walking all the way to the Fat Cow's Painting"

"Lady" Adam piped in

Severus glared at him for a moment before continuing on.

"I decided to bring him to sympathetic Gryffindor prefect who would be willing to hear him out" He stared pointedly at Lily.

"Why would he need a sympathetic ear?" Lily queried.

"Cornworth can explain to you, it's a long story" Severus

"Why were you at the library anyways Snape? Looking up more ways get back in Rosier's favor?" Potter said nastily

"Potter" Lily said sharply

Severus resisted the urge to tell him it was none of his business, if only to bring out his final move.

"No I was tutoring a Third Year for Muggle Studies."

Both Lily and Potter's jaws dropped.

"And Merlin's my uncle." Potter snorted

"I don't really care if you believe me or not Potter ask Melissa Corey she's in your House by the way." Severus looked around disinterestedly.

"Since when did you tutor for Muggle Studies? I thought you hated that class?" Lily asked with a hint more suspicion then Severus would have liked.

"Since I got into a fight with my housemates." Severus paused and looked at Potter.

"I don't want to break curfew anymore so I'd like to get back to MY House soon. I trust this won't come back to bite me?" Severus asked innocently

Potter looked like he was about to object before Lily cut him off.

"No it won't, just get back to your House now."

Severus bowed and turned, affecting the same casual walk he'd used before. However, he was suddenly overcome with an urge to say something to Adam.

"Cornworth."

All three stopped walking.

"Yes?" He asked tentatively

"If they give you any more trouble, tell me. I'll try and help" Severus said silkily

Adam's face lit up with a smile.

"Sure, thanks Severus."

Severus bowed once more before turning and leaving.

Damn I'm good.