Chapter Four: Halloween
"Today we will begin our chapter about werewolves." I said over the noise of the fourth year Gryffindors and Ravenclaws. I shot out three sparks from my wand and the teenagers were quiet instantly. "Mr. Smith," I said as I walked up to the talking Gryffindor, "if you want to ignore what I am teaching, perhaps you already know the information and would like to teach the class your knowledge?"
"Sure." He said with a stupid smile.
"What is a werewolf?" I asked smirking when he stopped smiling.
"I don't know."
"Is there a cure for being a werewolf?"
"I don't know Professor."
"How do you become a werewolf?"
"I don't know. Maybe you should teach us this information?"
"Of course. Thank you, Mr. Smith, for showing the others to that you should be quiet in my class or you'll get punished." I said, "One more peep out of you, and you'll have detention." I added in a whisper.
"Professor?" Ginny asked.
"Yes?"
"Can I try teaching this lesson? I know a lot about werewolves."
"Sure."
The rest of the day went by fast, and before I knew it Ginny and I were in our office correcting some of the many tests and homework assignments.
"Sam, I'm not sure if this answer is correct or not." Ginny said. Ginny had been doing a wonderful job the past two months. She'll make a great teacher.
"I'll help you tomorrow since it's an off day. We need to get ready for the feast." I replied.
About ten minutes later, Ginny and I were heading to the Great Hall. In the crowd, I instantly brought my arm over the spot where Matilda would've been if she wasn't at my mother's house. I sighed and put my arm back down. When we arrived, I sat between Minerva and Severus, while Ginny sat by Neville and Hermione.
"The Great Hall looks nice. Minerva said.
"Yeah, it's nice to see it looking spooky once more for Halloween." I said. There was floating jack-o-lanterns, a fake full moon being covered with clouds, and werewolf howls. There was even some bats flying around.
"The students seem excited to be back for Halloween. My favorite part is the flickering lights." Minerva said.
"It'll be nice to celebrate later without the students. You can only handle so much of them." I said
"I do agree, Sam, that the students can be tiring." Severus said in his silky drawl. We hadn't talked much since the night in his office. Poppy then asked Severus if they could switch spots, and he said yes.
"Why'd you want to switch places with Severus?" I asked when Poppy had sat down. I think I know the answer.
"I didn't want you to mess up your chance with Severus." called it. "Plus I found out from an inside source that he likes you!" Poppy said in a whisper as she sat down.
"What's the source?" I asked, rolling my eyes.
"I found a letter to his mother describing a woman who looks just like you, has a baby girl named Matilda, and has a wonderful personality. I also may have read his mind." Poppy said with a smirk.
"I don't believe a word you just said."
"Why is that?" Poppy asked, looking confused.
"You're always trying to set me up with him. It's annoying."
"So?"
"Plus you're too nice to read anyone's mail."
"Maybe I took some drastic measures."
"That's like me performing wand less magic: not going to happen."
"You should try wand less magic!"
"Why? I'd be no good at it."
"You don't know that."
"Maybe I do."
"You're always putting yourself down. Try now or I will reveal your secrets to the world." Poppy said with strange authority in her voice. Knowing she won't stop bugging me until I try, I concentrate hard on making my fork rise. I raised my hand a few inches above my fork and it rose!
"I guess you were right, Poppy." I said, excited at my accomplishment. I had only ever dreamed of performing wand less magic. I was never able to do it so I gave up trying and accepted I would never be that good.
"When am I not right?" Poppy asked.
"When you try setting your friends up without permission." Minerva said, joining the conversation. This caused all three of us to burst out laughing, inviting curious stares from the students and the rest of the staff.
After everyone had eaten all that they could, the students headed off to bed, while the rest of the staff and I got the Great Hall set up for the dance. I was dressed in my dark blue long dress with my black teacher robes over it.
"Hello Sam." said a silky drawl from behind me. When I turned around I say Severus holding a glass of firewhisky.
"Hello Severus." I replied. I thought I saw his eyes look over my body for a second, but I'm not sure.
"Firewhisky?" he asked, offering me a glass.
"Thank you." I said taking the extra glass out of his hand. It tasted good when I took a big sip of the burning liquid.
We talked for a while, laughing and having a good time.
"Remember that one time when we were dueling and I beat you within 30 seconds?" I said.
"No, I beat you fair and square!" and with that I stuck my tongue out at him, causing us both to laugh.
"I didn't know you could laugh, Severus!"
"I'm not always serious!"
"Doubt it."
"You just saw me laugh!"
"True, but that was probably the first time in years!"
"No it wasn't!"
"Really? Wow!" I said with a thick layer of sarcasm.
After about an hour or two, I started to feel the effects of the alcohol, and see it on the other staff members. Some of them were slurring when they talked, while others weren't walking straight. Of course there were some, like Minerva, who wouldn't even look at the alcohol. I'm very glad that the students were in bed.
"Come on, Sammy! Go ask him to dance!" Poppy said, her voice slurring badly. After talking to Severus for a while, I had decided to talk to some of my other friends.
"I've told you before Poppy; I am friends with Severus, nothing more." I said, annoyed.
"Oh come on! Are you really waiting for him to ask you?" Poppy said. Apparently she heard something different than what I actually said. "I happen to know that the waltz will be next, followed by a slow song." She added with an evil smirk.
Before the current song ended, I saw Severus walking out a door that leads outside. I left Poppy standing there and went after him. I found him standing not far from the door, so we could still hear the music.
"What are you doing here Sam?" Severus asked.
"To be by you." I answered, smirking as the waltz began to play.
"May I have this dance?" he asked in his lazy drawl, offering me his hand.
"Of course." I answered, noticing the slightest slur in my voice.
We danced in the cool night air to the soft tune of the music. I rested my head on his chest as he drew me close to him. When the song changed to a slower one, our dancing changed to swaying and holding each other close. It was nice. When the song ended, we looked up at each other. I couldn't hide my smile when I saw his familiar smirk. I then pulled him in for a kiss. It was wonderful. I couldn't image anything better at the moment.
Then we both realized what was going on. We broke apart from each other, embarrassed. I'm glad the darkness hid my blush. We stood there a few moments, thinking of what to say to the other one.
"I-I shouldn't have." Severus muttered.
"Let's not change anything between us."
"Agreed. Goodnight Sam."
"Goodnight Severus." I said back. And with that, he stalked back into the castle, leaving me alone outside. What had just happened?
"Hey teach!" I heard a seventh year yell from one of the towers. "Who are you and who were you snogging?"
I walked down to the lake and stared into the black water. I can't believe what had just happened. I headed into back into the castle after a few minutes. I decided to call it a night and head to my quarters.
When I got there, I found Ginny asleep in her bed. Hearing the door open disturbed Matilda. I'm glad I heard her whimpers before she started screaming and woke up Ginny.
"There, there, my Matilda." I said as I walked into her room. I picked her up and brought her into the kitchen to give her a bottle. After she was done, I put my baby girl in her crib.
"Don't worry, my Matilda, I will always keep you safe from harm. I promise you." I said as I kissed her forehead and walked to the door.
"I promise you." I repeated before going through the door to my room.
Author's note: I do not own any characters from Harry Potter. I only own the ones that come from my own brain. Thank you for reading and please comment! (: