Author: GrapeSmshr
Rated: PG13, just in case
Coupling: HP/SS slashy goodness
Disclaimer: Potter and Snape belong to JKR, but Harry and Sev belong to my heart...
A/N: I cannot express in words how overwhelmed I was with the response this fic got. You guys are amazing! Now, I know this chapter is shorter (and most likely less entertaining) than the first, but it definitely has its moments. So, read on and enjoy!
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Chapter 2: Laughing
The next day started out hectic for Harry. Even though he didn't have anything planned until afternoon, there were still finishing touches to be made. There was a matter of enforcing safety charms so the lower years wouldn't get hurt badly by anything--there was a slim chance of any injuries occurring, but Harry wanted to be safe. There was also a matter of choosing teams wisely so as to ensure cooperation among all group members. Hermione had been key in this, pointing out which students worked well with other students, and which were famous for not getting along. Ron's contribution was, surprisingly enough, coming up with the rules of the event so that everything would run smoothly. Harry was nervous, but he was positive that they would pull it off. They had to.
After lunch, everyone interested in participating was gathered in the front hall, chattering excitedly. Madam Hooch was the chaperone for the day's event, and she was waiting, quiet and curious, amongst the crowd of overeager students.
When Harry and Dumbledore appeared, the students immediately ceased their chattering and focused their attention to the slightly anxious looking teen. Receiving a nod of encouragement from the headmaster, Harry began, "Today's activities are going to require some team participation in order to pull it off. It will take skill, dedication, and, most of all, creative thought." He paused, scanning the eager and impatient faces. "We are going to have a snow figure building contest." As chatter erupted from the crowd, he cleared his throat loudly. When that did nothing to gain their attention, he cast a shrill whistling charm that was perhaps a bit too enthusiastic, as everyone was covering their ears and wincing. Shrugging apologetically, Harry continued, "As I was saying, this will be a team effort, and teams have already been chosen. Hermione, if you would, please."
The young witch stepped forward and turned to the crowd, reading off the teams they had decided upon. The list received only mild grumbling.
"And now for the rules. Ron?"
When Ron faced the now grouped teams, his chest was puffed with importance as he began to rattle off the rules, including no use of magic to help build; allowance for minor charming details at the finish; the inclusion of every team member; and the judging process, which would be done by three professors.
At the conclusion of the rules, Harry led the groups outside and to their designated building spots on the side of the castle. Giving them a three-hour limit, he returned to his own group to get to work.
He quickly surveyed the other six members of his team. There was Ron, Terry Boot, Neville Longbottom, two Hufflepuff third-years, and a fifth-year Slytherin. Hermione had placed herself in a group with her boyfriend, Blaise Zabini. Altogether, Harry's group looked quite promising. He had been about to suggest they try to build a miniature Shrieking Shack when Neville made a tentative suggestion of his own that instantly was agreed upon by all team members, including Harry. So with a plan in mind, they all set to build.
The three hours passed by quickly enough, with finishing touches being added by Terry, who was quite proficient in charms, as it turned out. They completed their project just as Madam Hooch called time.
Harry was quite giddy as Madam Hooch went to fetch the three judges. He knew his mini Shrieking Shack would have gotten a reaction, but Neville's idea would turn out to be even better in that capacity. Oh, Harry could just imagine the look on his face when he saw their creation...
A moment later Madam Hooch returned, followed by Professors Dumbledore, Sprout, and Snape, the latter with a quite sour expression on his face. Madam Hooch spoke with them briefly, then began to lead them from one group to the next.
Harry followed their progress from group to group, curious as to what the other teams created. There was a dragon swishing its tail back and forth, snow blasting out of its snout periodically; a rampaging snowman stomping a miniature city, with a sign saying 'Snowzilla'; what appeared to be an attempt of a Quidditch game but with snow-charmed players combusting mid-flight and spraying everyone within distance with snow; and a few others that were only half-finished.
As the judges approached Harry's group last, the team held their breath, awaiting the reactions. Out of the corner of his eye, Harry noticed Neville shrink back behind Ron; Harry couldn't blame him.
When Snape saw their creation, his face had turned so red that Harry feared his head might explode. The other two judges couldn't contain their laughter.
They were looking at a life-sized Snow-Snape, clad in a frumpy dress, vulture hat, and oversized handbag. He was charmed to shake his fist menacingly and wave the handbag around in a frantic motion.
When the other two judges ceased to contain their laughter, Snape glared at them and all but screamed, "I don't see how this is amusing!" He watched Dumbledore sober, the glint in his eyes twinkling madly. Realization dawned on him. "No. Oh, no. I refused to select them as winners," he snarled, punctuating his words with a withering glare to the offending team.
"You have a point, Severus," Dumbledore agreed, at which both Snape and Sprout looked surprised. "It would be most unfair. So, everyone wins!" he exclaimed happily to all of the groups. "Twenty House points to every team member!"
Speaking out over the cheering students, Snape shouted angrily, "I thought you said we could neither award nor take points during the break." Then he glanced at Harry, who was staring at him in disbelief.
"Yes, but this is a game," Dumbledore explained, and left it at that.
With one last glare at the Snow-Snape, the Potions Master stalked back into the school.
"Excellent idea, Mr. Longbottom," Dumbledore complimented the red-faced teen as he and Professor Sprout followed after Snape.
Hermione approached them, inspecting their work before scolding, "You could have gotten into serious trouble because of this. Although..." She raised her wand, casting a simple spell. Now Snow-Snape repeated in an eerily Snapelike voice, "Ten points from Gryffindor. Ten points from Gryffindor..."
Laughing heartily, Harry laced an arm through Hermione's as the trio headed back to the school. Well, he had definitely grabbed Snape's attention, albeit not the way he had been planning. But it worked out just as well. The first part of his plan turned out successful. Tomorrow he would put into effect Phase Two.
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Hahaha! I have no idea where that idea came from. Honest! I had every intention of giving them a good, old-fashioned snowball fight. Then I thought, well, everyone does that in winter fics, so... I came up with something new!
Unfortunately, I am now certain that this fic will not be finished by X-mas. I have planned 5 more chapters, and there's no way I can belt that out in a little over a week. So, sorry about that. But I promise, it'll be worth the wait!
Thanks to everyone who read and/or reviewed the first chapter. I hope you're enjoying reading this as much as I'm loving writing it! And thanks to everyone who wished me a happy early birthday!
Until next chapter, then. Peace out!