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Power in All its Glory

Chapter 22: The Inquisition, Part I

Severus Snape pinched the bridge of his nose. His students would recognize this as a sign that he was in a particularly foul mood.

The first day of interviews had been a disaster.

It should have been simple enough. The plan was that he would talk to the unsuspecting staff members and later the headmaster would review his memories though the pensieve.

Unfortunately, Snape had learned almost nothing from those he had talked to so far. While that was not a surprise to him, the tediousness of his task was extremely frustrating.

All of the interviews started the same way. He explained Dumbledore's vision for the school, with staff bettering themselves to improve student learning. If anyone thought it ironic that Hogwart's most hated professor was the one chosen to impart this message, no one remarked upon it. He then asked questions about their teaching. (Not that he cared in the least!) He also asked when and if they ever met with students after classes. In a roundabout way, he explored whether they were possibly taking advantage of their charges.

The ironic thing, of course, was that it was all for naught. He was being framed for an offence he did not commit. He was also investigating said offense and interviewing others for it.

The day wore on and the questions seemed to run into each other. He had to take breaks between interviews just to keep himself awake.

He had to admit, however, there were a few interviews that were not boring. Rather, they were … what was the word he was looking for? Oh, yes. Humiliating.

The first interviewee who had broken him out of his routine was Madam Hooch. When he began asking his questions, she sidestepped him … every chance she got.

"Severus, you look very well today."

He stopped in mid-sentence for she interrupted him with this observation.

"Yes, well," he said and then paused before he started stammering.

"Let us return to the task at hand, shall we?"

He wasn't one to normally get nervous, rather he induced that particular state in most. However, the gleam in Madam Hooch's eyes was unnerving.

"Of course," she replied. "I just want to be more like you, Severus." He looked at her in surprise.

"Excuse me?"

"You have such command over the students." She paused and then added. "It just gives me goose bumps."

The interview was off track from that moment forward. He tried … oh, how he tried, to regain control. She continually interrupted him.

"Severus, I wonder if you …"

"What?" he asked testily. He wasn't sure he liked where this was going.

"I mean, it would help me a great deal if you …"

"Just ask me already!" This wasn't Hooch. She would never hesitate to say what she thought. Something was going on, and he suspected a certain Deputy Headmistress had something to do with it.

She looked him square in the eyes. "Could you recite your first year speech for me? You know the one … Ensnare the senses."

"Has everyone gone mad?" he demanded. "I know you are up to something, Rolanda."

"Not at all, Severus. I just want to hear that sultry, sexy voice of yours … put a stopper in death," she mimicked. "Gets me hot just thinking about it."

Madam Hooch started fanning herself, as Snape watched in horror. He was speechless. There was nothing he could think of to say that would not make it worse.

Snape left the room with a swish of his robes.

The day had worn on tediously with interview after interview; Flitwick, Sinistra, Sprout, and countless others.

The interview with Madam Pince had not been much better. He had actually hoped to learn something from her session. He wanted to find out more about the Potion book with the Reverse-Love potion in it. He was careful to ask the question with a barrage of others to hide its significance. The answer he received was frustrating; no one but Miss Granger had checked out the book.

Bah!

Even the annoyance at having to spend all his time conducting useless interviews, was nothing compared to his frustration at his interview with Professor McGonagall. He cringed at the memory of that particular interview …

The older witch sat patiently watching Snape as he crossed the small room.

"I will make this short, Minerva. We both know the real reason the headmaster set up these interviews and that yours is just a formality; it would look suspicious to the other staff members if you did not have an interview. Let's make this as painless as possible, shall we?" he concluded.

"Nonsense, my boy," she replied with a spark in her eyes. "I've been looking forward to spending this time with you. Just treat me like the others … ask your questions."

"Fine," he said abruptly. He was really in no mood for this. "Let's get on with it then." He moved closer to her.

"Professor McGonagall, are you currently having an affair with a student?"

"Certainly not!" she exclaimed. She looked shocked, but he was sure it was an act; after all, she knew why they were there. He suspected she was trying very hard not to laugh. The sparkle in her eyes gave her away.

"And have you ever," he continued, "had lascivious thoughts about a student?"

"Why, Severus," she answered wistfully, "Not since you were in my class."

"Enough!" he bellowed. "This interview is over!"

"But Severus, I was quite enjoying our time together."

Yesterday had been a long day, indeed. Today did not promise to be much better. Those he had lined up to finish out the interviews were Vector, Pomfrey, and Binns-now that was certainly a waste of time. He also had to interview Professor Trelawny and that mongrel, Black. Soon, he thought, it would be over … but would he be any closer to the truth?

****

Hermione sat down on her bed with a loud sigh. She didn't know what to do now. She was tired and frustrated. Her plan to get into Professor Snape's office and go through the files had been flawless; at least that was what she had thought at the time.

Yesterday, she had gone to sit outside his office, armed with Harry's invisibility cloak. She didn't have long to wait. Snape returned after the first few interviews. She had listened intently to hear what words he spoke to turn off his wards. It had taken more than one time to get it correctly. The dungeon floor was cold, drafty, and uncomfortable, but she finally got it. Not that it did her any good. She noticed he went back to his office quite often. There was no way to determine how long he would be gone between sessions, and she really didn't want him coming in while she was looking through the files.

She had gone this morning, as well. It was more of the same. He was going through the interviews too quickly for it to help her.

She needed another plan.

****

Professor Snape opened the door and looked out once more. Madam Pomfrey was next, but she had yet to arrive. Somehow, Snape was not surprised that the nurse was late.

No one had even questioned why Poppy needed staff development. He suspected everyone knew something was going on, without knowing exactly what it was.

He looked up and down the hallway again.

Still no Poppy.

Just Draco Malfoy.

Snape's eyes narrowed in suspicion. What was that boy up to? He had caught him hanging around yesterday as well. Why wasn't he out with his fellow students celebrating their long break? Before he could ponder this any longer, the nurse hurried up to him.

"I apologize, Professor Snape," she stated, not really sounding sorry. "I was with a patient."

He said nothing and this seemed to be all the encouragement she needed to continue on the now familiar rant.

"I told the headmaster that my patients come first before any bloody staff development!"

She huffed as she walked past him into the interview room.

Great, Snape thought. Just what he needed.

Someone else with an attitude.

Would this torture never end?