Prof. McGonagall stared at what lay before her. Furrowing her brow, she debated what her next course of action should be.
"Come now Minerva, I don't have all night to wait on you prolonging the inevitable," Severus sneered from across the table.
"You mean when you lose third year in a row, Severus?" chirped up tiny Prof. Flitwick. To which Prof. Sprout allowed a slight chuckle at Severus' expense.
Pulling a look at her three companions, Minerva laid down her hand. "Not this round. I fold."
"Finally," muttered the sallow potions master as he tossed three more chips into the pot, with Filius and Pomona following suit.
It had always been a Hogwarts tradition for the four houses to compete, but only for the past 8 years had it grown to include this particular game between the four heads. Each year it was the same thing. Come January just before holidays ended, they would convene in the staff room, break out the chips, and play the game of gods.
Poker.
A game Pomona had introduced them to after one summer holiday. Minerva had originally been against the notion of gambling, but any chance to beat Severus, and by association Slytherin, at anything was too good to pass up. Snape thought likewise. Flitwick was such a good sport that he was up for anything if it promised a fun time. However, if both he and Pomona were honest, the real treat was watching Minerva and Severus glare at each other over the cards. Just that was always priceless entertainment, but it came in handy during this particular game.
Minerva's poker face was horrendous. Just a look at her screamed volumes about what kind of hand she held. Severus' was actually quite good, considering what a great occlumens he was, but it suffered in how little luck he had, which didn't help his temper and then affected his playing. It was a nice change of pace for the other two heads to see their usually so successful coworkers competing to not be the ultimate loser.
So it goes without saying that Filius and Pomona usually cleaned up.
But that wasn't the main goal. While the three losers treated the overall winner at the Three Broomsticks, the real mission was to avoid going bankrupt first. That person would have the displeasure of a certain chore no one desired.
"Royal straight! This round goes to me!" Pomona said as she happily raked in the current pot.
Severus pursed his lips and threw his measly two pair into the rest of the deck. Trying to avoid looking smug, Minerva collected the cards and dealt again. She'd learned long ago not to push it when she really had nothing. It's what saved her from the losing streak she had when they first started this tradition. Severus, however, still clung to the notion that perhaps his stone-cold expression would lead him to victory against Pomona and Filius' combined luck and talent.
From the look at their respective pots, it wasn't going to work this time. Pomona had taken a lead near the beginning with Filius not terribly far behind. Minerva actually had a decent pile in front of her while Snape was clinging to only 3 more chips, dead last.
Perhaps it was time to strike an alliance.
"Pomona…" he started.
"Yes Severus?" she asked, still basking in her current lead.
Choosing his words carefully, Snape continued, "The way things have been going…all of us playing against each other Have you ever considered the idea of changing our annual games to a more, shall we say, partner friendly atmosphere?"
"Whatever you're trying to do Severus, you can stop right now," Minerva warned as she dealt the last card to Filius.
"I'm sure I have no idea what you mean, Minerva," Severus replied, feigning innocence, "I just thought I'd bring up the advantages of joining together as opposed to forcing all four houses apart."
"A noble sentiment, Severus," Filius answered, not even gazing up from his hand, "A shame you don't actually mean it."
"But I do Filius. I'm shocked that you'd think me capable of trying to pull the wool over your eyes. I'm glad Pomona doesn't think so harshly of me, otherwise I'd have no friends among-"
"Severus, your words would seem much more heartfelt if you weren't last place right now," Pomona cut him off with a good-natured wink.
"There you are Severus, now put in or fold before the OWLS start up," said Minerva as she placed her own chip into the center.
With a scowl, Severus followed, his three chips dwindling now to two. However, his mood significantly changed when he saw just what kind of hand he had just been dealt.
A flush. Not a royal one, but it was a flush. A flush was all he needed to stay in the running.
"Well, Severus, are you in or will you stave off defeat for another hand or two?" Filius teased.
Not wanting to give away his delight, Severus held his tongue and placed his last two chips into the center.
"Hmmm…so you are betting your last two Severus? Have you decided to end your misery?"
"Just put in, Filius. Your arrogance might be your downfall." Snape acidly replied.
"No, not this time. I think I'll fold," Flitwick laid his hand facedown on the table.
"Pomona?" Severus questioned. His hand would be pointless if everyone else folded.
Seeming torn between feeling sorry and enjoying Severus' position, Pomona replied, "I'm sorry, Severus. I better stay out this hand."
"I'm still in, Severus," Minerva reminded him, smirking and placing two of her own in the middle.
"Beating you is no pleasure, Minerva. It's like watching a broom crash," Severus retorted scathingly.
"Then show your hand Severus! Don't keep us waiting!" Minerva spat in return.
"Fine," Severus replied.
He threw down his hand in triumph and began to gather up his winnings when Minerva started to laugh.
"And what is so funny about me winning this hand?" Snape asked silkily.
"There's nothing funny about you winning a hand, Severus. You losing the whole match, on the other hand, is hysterical," Minerva managed to get out before laying down her hand and dissolving into more laughter.
She had a flush. A royal one.
"Hoh hoh! Better luck next year Severus!" Flitwick piped up, joining Minerva in her mirth.
"Maybe we can start playing partners next year," Pomona said, consolingly.
Which was absolutely no help for THIS year thought Snape as he rubbed his temples. He now found himself in a very unfavorable position, for the third year in a row. Not only did he have to endure Minerva's smug smile and fork out his share of the bill for Pomona at the Three Broomsticks, but he also had to do the least-enjoyed job of all the heads of house ever since the Founders first accepted students.
With a sigh, he set off to his office to plan the third years' Sex Ed lessons.