Severus watched over his fifth year class, brewing a dreamless sleep potion. Of course the class was Gryffindor and Slytherin. He glanced over to Abby, who was brewing with Jordan Chambers.
"Excuse me, Professor Snape", came Graham Greyback's voice from the door.
"What is it?"
"I have a message from Professor Dumbledore."
Severus walked toward the door to retrieve the note from the student. He stopped short when he heard Abby snickering.
"Ms. Snape, you will cease your inane giggling and chatter with Mr. Chambers. 10 points from Gryffindor."
Abby looked up and glared at Severus; she then went back to her work mumbling her retort.
"Detention tonight for your cheek, Ms. Snape."
Abby huffed, "But it's the first day of class! And I have quidditch try-outs; I won't have time to do my homework."
"I don't see how that's my problem."The Slytherin's started snickering.
Abby glared at Severus and went back to her potion. Severus walked over to Graham, taking the note, and dismissing him.
"Bottle your potions, then you may leave", Severus said to the class as he sat at his desk.
Abby hurriedly bottled her potion, and then stalked angrily out of the classroom before anyone else.
"I see your not daddy's little girl", someone spoke from behind Abby.
She turned around and saw it was Graham Greyback. Abby had only been at Hogwarts a few days, and she already didn't like this kid. He was a Seventh year Slytherin, who thought he was the gods' gift to the wizarding world. Graham came from a long line of pure bloods, so he still held the thought that anyone who wasn't a pure blood was worthless. Which had Abby wondering why he was even speaking to her.
"What do you want", Abby spat.
"Ahh, but I see you have his temper."
"I know your type Greyback, you have an agenda, what do you want", Abby said still furious from her father's class and this encounter.
"No agenda. Well, probably not one that you have in mind", he said placing his hand on Abby's shoulder and rubbing it down her arm.
"If you'd like to keep your hand, and let's say, other important parts of your body, you will never touch me again", Abby seethed pulling her wand on him.
"Ms. Snape, Mr. Greyback, do we have a problem", Hermione said as she approached the two.
Graham flashed a sly smile. "No Professor Granger, everything is great", he said and then turned and walked in the opposite direction.
Abby's face was as red as her hair, with anger, and she still had her wand out.
"Abby what's going on?"
"I'm having the worst bloody first school day at Hogwarts, EVER!"
"When's your next class?"
"In two hours, I have a free period after lunch."
"I have a planning period after lunch today, so let's go to my chambers. I can order us lunch there and you can tell me about your day."
Abby nodded and followed Hermione to the Astronomy tower.
"My password is Tobias, for future reference but keep that to yourself."
Abby grinned and followed Hermione in. She sat down on the couch in front of the fire place.
"Tell me about your day", Hermione said while pouring two cups of tea.
"Well, I had a terrible time sleeping last night. So of course when I did fall asleep, I slept for two hours and then ended up waking up late. I missed breakfast, but I did manage to make it to Astronomy on time. After that, I had potions", Abby made a disgusted face here, "Where dad decided to dock points and then give me detention tonight. All while his stupid Slytherin's were laughing at me.
"Why did you get detention?"
"Jordan said something that made me laugh, and of course dad had to point me out. Yet, he refused to acknowledge the two Slytherin's across from us who were having a full blown conversation."
"I think your dad was just trying to call you out, so no one thinks he's playing favorites with you."
"Yes, I understand that. It's just annoying that I get called out, out of everyone. While he plays favorites with the Slytherins."
"I know. Wait, don't you have quidditch try-outs tonight?"
"Yes, so now I'm not going to sleep tonight either. I have try-out's right after classes and dinner is over, then I have detention until gods know when. I'm going to be up all night doing homework."
"Maybe I can convince your father not to give you detention."
"Please, he'll probably give me detentions for a month if you do that."
"You have a point. What was going on with you and Graham Greyback in hall?"
Abby huffed; she had forgotten about that until now, "I don't even want to get into that. I don't really know that kid, but I seriously don't like anything about him."
"Yes, he's bad news. I would advise not hanging around him."
Abby nodded.
"Well you must be hungry since you missed breakfast. Let me order lunch from the house elves."
Hermione didn't make it down to dinner either, she sat in her sitting room looking over a few charms books. Being so indulged in the books, she didn't notice her door open.
"I thought you might be working", Severus said causing Hermione to jump.
Hermione looked up and saw Severus walking from the doorway, with a plate of food in hand.
"What time is it", Hermione said glancing at her watch.
"Seven, you've missed dinner", he replied sitting beside her, and handing her the plate.
"Thank You."
"I can't stay long; I have a detention in an hour."
"Yes, about that", Hermione said after swallowing her first bite, "Why did you give Abby detention on the first day! I thought you were done being a git, once we defeated Voldemort."
Severus smirked, "I take it she's spoken to you about it. Abby has to learn our banter cannot be used inside the classroom, or anytime I'm in professor mode."
"Severus she's aware of that, she just had a horrible day."
"Really", he said raising his eyebrows.
"Yes, if you would have taken the time to speak to her I'm sure she would have told you. Abby's having a hard time sleeping again, which caused her to miss breakfast. After the little incident in your classroom I encountered her and Graham Greyback in the hallway, Abby had her wand pulled out on him."
"What! What did he do to her; Abby wouldn't just pull her wand on someone!"
"I don't know Severus, she said she didn't want to discuss it. But I'm sure if it was something Abby couldn't handle, she would let someone know."
Severus huffed and crossed his arms, "She's in a new environment."
"What?"
"Abby's trouble sleeping. She's still going through all the events from the summer, being thrown into a new setting is throwing her off."
"Yes, well I doubt she will even be able to attempt to sleep tonight. After her try-outs she has your detention, and then she has to do homework."
"I've already informed Potter to tell Abby to bring her books to detention. She will do her homework, while I grade papers."
Severus placed a soft kiss on her cheek and stood, "It's about time for Abby to be heading to my classroom. Will I be seeing you in my chambers tonight?"
"Of course."
Severus sat at his desk, when he heard Abby knock on his office door.
"Enter"
Abby stepped inside, with her backpack in hand. She had obviously come straight from quidditch practice, her clothes were ruffled and dirty and sweat was still pouring off her face.
"Have a seat", Severus said gesturing to the chair in front of his desk.
Abby sat down; she flinched when Severus pointed his wand at her.
"Scourgify"
"Thanks, Professor. What am I going to be doing for detention", Abby said apprehensively.
Severus could tell Abby was unsure of how to speak to him, probably afraid she'd land another detention. He noted she didn't look angry anymore, she looked more tired than anything.
"You will do your homework, while I grade papers. You don't have to be formal in here, when it's just you and I. Abby I just want it to be clear that in the classroom I am Professor Snape, and you are my student. Our banter cannot be tolerated while we are in the classroom setting."
Abby nodded and started to pull out her books.
"So?", Severus said waiting for her to respond.
Abby starred at him, with a confused look on her face.
"Didn't you have try-outs? How did they go?"
Abby couldn't help but grin, "Good, Harry said the list will be posted tomorrow morning in my common room."
Severus nodded, "Did you have any competition for seeker?"
"Not really, last year's seeker graduated. There was a second year and a fourth year that tried out, but I think they were mainly doing it just so they could say they were on the house team."
"The way Harry rants on about you, I'm sure you made it."
Abby smiled and opened up her Astronomy book. After about two hours, Abby finished her homework. She looked up and saw Severus was just about done grading papers.
"Dad, I'm finished."
Severus nodded and signaled to her that she could go. Abby was just about to the door when he stopped her.
"Abby wait, there is something I want to speak to you about."
"What is it", Abby said walking back over to the chair she had been occupying, and sitting back down.
Severus got up and sat on the edge of the desk in front of her.
"Hermione told me she encountered you and Graham Greyback in the hallway this afternoon. You had your wand pulled on?"
"Yes, he was just being a jerk."
"What did he do?"
"Dad, don't worry about it. I can handle that idiot; he just thinks he owns this place and everyone in it."
"If he gets to be too much, let me know. I don't have a problem hexing him."
Abby grinned, "I know. I'm going to go back to my common room."
"Alright, get some sleep", Severus said kissing the top of Abby's head.
Hermione walked through the entrance of the Great Hall, Severus entered through the staff door, near the head table. Students were still unaware of their relationship, so they wanted to be as inconspicuous as possible.
She approached the Gryffindor table, spotting Abby sitting with Jordan Chambers and Shelly McCloud.
"Congratulations Abby, I heard you made Seeker", Hermione said putting a hand on her shoulder.
Abby looked up and gave her a weak smile. Hermione noticed Abby looked very tired and pale.
"Are you alright, are you sick", Hermione asked.
"I'm ok, I just need to eat breakfast", Abby responded.
Hermione nodded and made her way up to the staff table, taking her seat by Severus.
"Have you congratulated Abby on making Seeker", Hermione asked Severus.
"Not yet, I will go to talk to her before classes start this morning."
"She doesn't look good Severus; I think she may be sick."
Severus glanced in Abby's direction and saw her pale tired face. He stood up and at the same time Abby stood, walking in his direction. She stopped in the middle of the isle, starring at the floor. Severus could see her hands were shaking and she was starting to sweat. Before he could take three more steps, Abby bent over and threw up all over the floor.
Kids all around Abby let out disgusted noises and covered their faces, or ran for the door.
Severus rushed to Abby, flicking his wand and cleaning up the mess, then escorting her out the Great Hall.
"Did I really just throw up in front of everyone", Abby moaned, as Severus pulled her towards the infirmary.
"How long have you been sick", Severus asked softly.
"I've just been tired, that was the first time I threw up. Dad you're walking to fast", Abby said tiredly.
Severus bent over and picked Abby up, carrying her the rest of the way to the infirmary. Severus laid Abby on an empty bed, calling Poppy over to them.
"Well, what's the matter", Poppy asked.
"I believe Abby is sick, she just threw up and she said she's been tired."
Poppy checked Abby over, "It's nothing to worry about, she just has a case of the flu. Abby take this potion, and then go get some sleep. Don't return to classes until tomorrow."
Abby took the potion and relief washed over her face.
"You can sleep down in my chambers, I want to be able to keep an eye on you", Severus said, helping Abby off the bed.
Abby and Severus flooed to Severus' chambers, Hermione was sitting on the couch.
"Is everything alright", Hermione asked standing.
"Yes, she just has the flu. Abby your grandfather added an additional room to my chambers for you, you can sleep in there", Severus said leading her in the rooms direction.
Friday rolled around; everything was going well at Hogwarts. Abby was over the flu and back to classes and quidditch.
"Has Abby been acting strange around you", Severus asked Hermione, as they ate dinner in the Great Hall.
"Not really strange, just quiet. I think she's still trying to adjust to life here and I believe she is still upset about vomiting in the middle of breakfast."
Severus nodded. "Yes, I just need to get her back on track. So, what are your plans tonight", he said with a slight smirk.
"I have rounds tonight, so I won't be down until about midnight. Why, what are you planning on doing."
Severus leaned over, very close to her ear. "I was planning on doing you, but I guess that will have to wait", he said seductively, as he ran a hand over her thigh.
"Severus, if you want to keep this relationship from the students, then you will stop that!", she whispered as she grabbed his hand.
Severus and Hermione both looked up to see Abby grinning at them, and Jordan and Shelly McCloud giving them confused looks.
"I'm sure rumors will be circulating about us now, Severus", Hermione said, giving him an agitated look.
"They already are", Remus said from the other side of Hermione.
"What!"
"I heard two Hufflepuffs speculating about it the other day. They know you two are close, from working together for so long. But, you two have subtle changes in your demeanors and sometimes you slip up around each other. They also thought Abby was possibly your child, until they did the math with yours and Abby's age difference. It's obvious that Abby knew you, Harry, Ron, and Draco before the start of term, so the kids have been going wild with all this information."
Hermione scowled, which made Severus laugh.
"We'll see who's laughing when I refuse to have sex with you", Hermione said quietly.
Severus scowled in return.
It was coming upon midnight, Hermione was glad, soon her rounds would be over and she could go down and cuddle with Severus. She wasn't upset with Severus about the little scene from earlier. The students knowing they were in a relationship really didn't bother her. She just
wanted to keep a professional demeanor inside the classroom. Plus, she had been easily agitated lately
Hermione rounded the corner to the Astronomy tower. It was never unusual to find kids up there snogging or hanging out.
As she hit the top step, a head came into view but the person's body wasn't visible.
"I see you are making good use of the invisibility cloak", Hermione said after noticing the red hair.
Abby jumped and turned around, then smiled. Hermione sat down beside her.
"Why are up here all by yourself and after curfew", Hermione asked.
"I couldn't sleep, and Jordan was worn out from quidditch practice. He went to bed hours ago."
"Are you still having trouble sleeping, you look exhausted again."
"Yeah, I've been having dreams about the car accident again", Abby said trailing off.
"Why don't you come down to your fathers chambers with me. I'm sure he would love for you to stay the night; he's missed not being able to spend as much time with you."
Abby nodded and followed Hermione down to Severus' chambers. When they entered, they saw Severus asleep on the couch, book laid across his chest, and one arm over his face.
"And he was suppose to be waiting up for me", Hermione said smiling.
"I'm awake", Severus said in a husky tired voice.
Hermione snorted.
"Abby what are you doing down here", Severus said as he moved his arm and got up, "Are you sick again?"
"No, I just couldn't sleep."
"I found her sitting in the Astronomy tower, I thought it would be good for her to spend the night with you. I am going to retreat back to my room for the night", Hermione added.
"No, don't go. I want you to stay", Abby replied.
Severus put an arm around Abby and grabbed Hermione's hand, "Come on ladies, let's go to bed. Abby you really shouldn't be out past curfew, how did you manage to be out so late and not get stopped by anyone until just a few moments ago."
Abby grinned and didn't say anything, causing Severus to raise an eye brow.
After Severus convinced Abby to take a sleeping draught, the three laid in Severus' bed. Abby was asleep with her head buried in the back on Severus' neck. Severus was wrapped around Hermione, nibbling on her ear.
"Severus would you stop that", Hermione said smiling.
"I'm just giving you a preview of tomorrow night."
Hermione grinned.
"I'm glad Abby likes you, she seems to adjusting well to our relationship. I also think you being in her life will help her tremendously, seeing as I am at a loss on what to do about women issues."
Hermione giggled, "I am well aware of that, Severus.
Severus woke up to muffled giggling and his forehead tingling. He opened an eye and saw Abby grinning, with her wand in hand.
"Would you like to inform me, as to what's so funny", Severus said rubbing his forehead.
Abby grinned and Hermione couldn't help be giggle again.
"What did you two do", Severus said scowling at the girls.
"Well, Hermione didn't do anything."
Severus pushed Abby over, jumped out of bed and walked into the bathroom.
"ABIGAIL!"
Abby got up and ran to the bedroom door, "See you at breakfast!"
Severus stalked out of the bathroom just as Abby ran out of the door.
"Why did you let her give me a green streak in my hair?!"
"Severus it will fade away in an hour", Hermione said holding back a snicker.
"I have to go to breakfast like this!"
Severus sat in the Great Hall eating, while most of the students whispered and snickered in his direction.
"Severus! I didn't know you were one for school spirit", Harry said snickering from down the table.
"I am going to hex Abby into next week", Severus mumbled to himself.
Severus stood up and passed by the Gryffindor table, Hermione watched as Abby lowered her head, trying to hold back her giggles. Severus pulled out his wand, flicked it, transfiguring Abby's robes into Slytherin colors and tattooing a Slytherin emblem on Abby's face.
Abby grinned and stood up. She flicked her wand, Severus' hair was now maroon and gold and he had the Gryffindor shield etched on the front of his robes. Severus stopped in his tracks and peered down at his new attire. The entire hall was silent, watching the two.
Severus stalked up to Abby, she stopped grinning. Abby wasn't sure if she had gone too far in public with her father.
"You are playing with fire, Ms. Snape", Severus said loud enough for everyone to hear. Abby could see his playful smirk and a glint in his eye.
"I believe I can handle it, Professor. I believe you were the one that said I had a talent for hexing. Recall the blue skin incident, when I was eleven. My talent has grown since then, I believe you are the one that can't handle my fire."
Severus repressed a grin, he defiantly remembered the "blue skin" incident. The summer before Abby started at the American Magic School, she and Severus had a hex war. They had been running around the beach house, throwing and dodging each other's hexes. Severus jumped out of the way, as Abby sent a hex, it hit Abby's mother square in the forehead. Her entire skin turned blue for 24hrs, Severus and Abby had to cease fire for a little while after that.
Severus went toe to toe with Abby, he bent down bringing his face to hers.
"Bring. It. On.", Severus said, smirked, and then turned and glided out of the Great Hall. Leaving Abby smirking, and plotting.
Harry turned to Ron and Draco, "I love this year!!"
-review please!!