What Lies Beneath – Chapter 7
Author: Kitty Savella and Araea Swiftwind
Rating: M
Pairing: Harry Potter/ Severus Snape with possible Harry/Draco (onesided) and Neville/Luna
Warning: School talk, insults, mature content, foul language, slash
"Welcome to Muggle Studies. As some of you may or may not know, I was raised by my muggle relatives. I spent seventeen years in the muggle world, learning the hard way all of the differences between that world and the wizarding one. In this class, I will be making the transition easier for you so that you might act convincingly muggle should the need ever arise."
I looked over my sixth year class and sighed. Most of these students were Slytherins, meaning that they were half-blood at best, but most likely pure bloods. It would be a contest of wills to get them to understand the importance of studying muggles, their religions, politics, and everything else essencial to blending in.
"This term we will be focusing on Muggle careers and the work structure. Essentially, that means we are going to cover other employment options for those of you who may not wish to stay in the wizarding world after Hogwarts, how the employment process works in the Muggle world, and how they compare to their wizarding equivalents. If we manage to finish early, then we will also be covering Muggle religions, cults and archaic beliefs and how they influence the job market today. Are there any questions?"
Not a single hand was raised and I sighed again. This was going to be a completely uphill battle. "Since there are no questions, I think I'll start the lesson by having you take a little quiz. Please take out a quill and parchment, wands away, and we'll begin with the questions on the board. This quiz will tell me how much you already know about Muggles, and how much you will need to learn in the next year to be ready for your NEWTs. You will have just thirty minutes to complete the exam, then we will review. You may begin."
I sat back and watched the faces of my students turn surly as I spoke. They disliked me with such passion, it was a thing of beauty. I had always enjoyed making others listen to me and do as I said, mostly because that had never happened with any of the adults in my life. Even still, it's a miracle that Severus does anything I ask, let alone anything I tell him I need him to do. Essentially, I'm powerless outside the classroom, something I never expected after defeating Voldemort.
After the war, I had always assumed that everyone would listen to everything I said and do it right away. I was anticipating the day that got old and I started complaining about it. But it never happened. Everyone was so sure that I had just gotten extremely lucky, that my skills as a wizard and my intelligence as a human being had absolutely nothing to do with me defeating the Dark Lord. Bullocks. I worked hard to defeat that snake-faced bastard and I deserved a little respect for my sacrifice.
From the looks on my students faces, I was letting my emotions show a little too strongly. Most of them seemed frightened of me, others just puzzled. I could just imagine them going to their head of house later tonight and complaining about the big, bad Muggle Studies teacher who scared them with a mean—and slightly crazy—look. Severus would never let me hear the end of it.
I cast a tempus charm to see how much longer the students had to finish their quizzes. Ten minutes. I raised a single eyebrow and cleared my throat. At that, the students stopped stairing and went back to working on their quizzes. All but one, however.
The young girl had chocolate brown hair and hazel eyes, thin glasses perched on her nose. My mind instantly merged an image of myself and Hermione and the girl was exactly what our daughter would have looked like—well, if Hermione was my type, wasn't dead, and wasn't head-over-arse in love with Ron, that is. I was so taken aback at the image of the girl, it took longer than it should for me to come up with the girl's name.
I cringed as I said, "Ms. Granger, why is it that you are not working on your quiz?"
"I have finished, Professor." The girl folded her hands in front of her and matched my gaze with her own steady look.
With a soft sigh I stated, "You should spend the remaining minutes checking over your work."
She nodded and flipped her parchment over and began to revise.
I spent my few remaining minutes scolding myself for allowing my emotions to get the better of me. I was stronger than all that. I could stuff everything away until I had a private moment to deal with things.
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"All right, class. Quills down and eyes up front. We're going to review." I looked around and tried to find a willing subject. No one seemed forthcoming, so I chose at random.
"Reginald Noxley. Can you tell me the first process in obtaining a muggle job?"
The sixth-year glared at me, but answered regardless. "I believe that would be filling out an application."
"You are quite correct, Mr. Noxley. Ten points to Slytherin. Now, can anyone tell me what job involves a bright red truck, hoses and ladders?"
Once again, no one seemed to want to participate in class. I sighed and just barely stopped myself from pinching the bridge of my nose in a sign of frustration. I had no idea what to do to make these students interested in learning. I paused for longer than was normal, and much to my surprise a student in the back raised his hand.
"Yes, Mr. West?"
"I believe the answer is 'Fireman', sir."
"Very good. Ten points to Hufflepuff."
That is when an idea came to me. Offer a greater number of points for those who offer answers. "Class, Twenty points to the next student who answers. What do you call a person who fixes teeth for a living?"
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After classes I retired to my office. I was exhausted and I wanted a few hours to myself to recharge, especially because I decided to speak to Severus before bed. I closed my eyes and took in several deep breaths, letting each one out slowly. The practice allowed me to relax enough that I barely heard the knock on my door.
Sitting up, I cleared my throat and called for the person at my door—most likely Draco—to enter. As I anticipated, Draco strolled through the door and took a seat before my desk. He looked a bit like someone stuck a rather large stick up his arse. I just barely kept myself from laughing at the uncomfortable look he sported.
"Draco."
"Potter."
"What was it that you wished to speak about?"
"I wanted to discuss what happened yesterday. I want to know why you treated me like shite when I was simply trying to be friendly."
"Honestly, Draco, I don't think that's any of your business."
"What? You treat me like I'm still the enemy and that's none of my business? What is my business then?"
I sighed. I didn't particularly want to get in a row with Draco, but I didn't see how I could avoid it. I didn't want to tell him what was wrong, and he demanded that he know. My head down, I finally allowed myself to pinch the bridge of my nose in frustration.
"Draco, I don't wish to speak of it."
"Well, get over it. I deserve to know, damn it."
"It's my life, ya bloody git. I don't have to tell you anything."
"Except when it involves me, you ruddy arse. I deserve to know if I did something wrong."
"Fine then. You're doing something wrong right now. You won't leaven this alone and accept that I am not going to explain myself to you. Just drop it."
Draco glared, but stopped speaking. He seemed to be extremely livid, but I couldn't care less. I was not having this conversation with the blonde.
"Now, if you wish to discuss another topic, I'd be willing to listen and offer my input."
"Just forget it, Potter. I believed you when you told me that all I had to do to gain your favor was be nice, but I can see that isn't true. You're so biased and stubborn that it's not even worth trying. I am ever so sorry that I wasted your time." With that, the man took his leave and left me alone to my own devices.
I hated myself in the next instant. I had told Draco that niceties went far with me, then showed him the same animosity as always. I was a berk, and proved it beyond a shadow of a doubt. With a groan, I hung my head. I was so stupid, and just as stubborn as Draco accused. I hadn't the faintest idea what I was going to do to make it up to Draco. There was the feeling that nothing I said would be accepted as an apology.
For the next hour I sat in my quiet office and brooded. I kicked myself for how hateful I had been acting to everyone. Draco and Severus didn't deserve my contempt.
Knock, knock. I stood and went to the door. Severus gracefully waited on the other side.
"Severus, I meant to seek you out soon. I wanted to speak to you."
He quirked a brow. "I must have good timing, then. May I sit?"
I moved away from the door and gestured toward the chair in front of my desk. "Please, do. I just wand to say that I'm sorry. I'm such a berk. I keep losing my temper and saying things I later regret. I take you for granted and assume you'll always be there for me no matter what I do to yiu. Can you ever forgive me, Severus?"
"Of course I can, Harry. You aren't the only one who's done something wrong. I treat you like a child, someone I can order around and treat like shite, for lack of a better word. I, too, take you for granted. I truly apologize."
"Don't worry about it, Severus. Let's just call this water under the bridge and strive to keep our tempers in check."
"That sounds good, Harry. Care to join me for dinner?"
I gave my lover a beaming smile and nodded. "Shall we eat in our chambers?"
"It would be wonderful to have you all to myself." Severus took me in his arms and gave me a blistering kiss. My toes curled and I let out a soft moan. The man always did know how to turn me to a quivering puddle of goo.
Together, Severus and I made our way down to the dungeons for a romantic dinner for two.