The pillow was so soft and the bed was so comfortable that she overslept and had to make a dash to be in time for the meeting in the cabin at five o'clock
Hagrid was talking with the Golden Trio about his new job. Harry, Ron and Hermione had a free period and decided to visit Hagrid. They were chatting happily when they heard a knock on the door
-C'mon go kids go.
Harry and his friends hide under the window waiting to know who the visitor was. They were surprised to say at least when they finally saw who the visitor was; it was the directress of Azkaban herself. She was wearing forest green robes.
They chatted up for hours first about the time Hagrid spent in Azkaban and went on with some lighter topics. When Hagrid had arrived to Azkaban, he had been received by Lara. She made sure he was sent to the most comfortable cell and ordered the Dementors to not to pass frequently. She tried to make him the most comfortable possibly in a cell in Azkaban. She often visited him. She was sure he didn't commit any crime and she tried to cheer him up and told him the news of the wizard world.
She didn't visit many prisoners but she visited a few of them, the ones who she thought they were innocent or the crime they committed didn't deserve such a severe punishment.
When Hagrid was finally released, she had wished him the best and promised to visit him some time
She hadn't seen him during this three short days but I had been a lovely surprise when she saw it was the half-giant who opened the door. Hagrid wanted to repay her for her help and care but she didn't want to know nothing of it. She told him she had done what she had done because she could and wanted and didn't expect any kind of repayment.
They discovered that they shared the love for the dangerous animals especially dragons but Lara wasn't as enthusiastic as Hagrid about his huge spider pet. She loved his two dogs, Fang and Fluffy, and told Hagrid that if he was absolutely set on repaying her, she'd love to have one of the dogs or if they had one of their cubs or both.
They finished their talk when it was supper time so they walked together to the Great Hall to eat. Ron and his friends had left when they knew the story between the Professors and with this knowledge their respect and admiration for the strange directress grew.
Snape rose his eyebrows when he saw the estrange pair entering together. Again she sat beside him and started serving herself.
-Could you hand me the jar?
That snapped Severus out of this reverie
-No inverted flights this afternoon?
Snape said sarcastically while he gave her the jar. Their fingers brushed but either of them paid any attention to it.
-No I had a great time with Hagrid over there, ah, and now I come to think of it how's that you knew about my fly time?
He had rubbed her off the wrong way with his acid commentary, well, the question wasn't that offensive but the tone he used got Lara on her nerves. With his years of practice, he could hide pretty well the reaction that commentary caused on him and with his skill of lying he answered without missing a beat.
-I've heard some third year students talking about that.
-That's why you have let them go earlier?
-Now, how do you know that?
-The same way as you.
Her eyes where glinting with an inside joke. Snape wondered if it was because she had known that the same way he had, entering inside some student's mind. He hid his mixture of discomfort and surprise that he might have been caught. He would have to be careful around her. He covered his reaction continuing talking.
-Next time you decide to show your flying skills that seemed to impress the students wait until the weekend so you don't bother any class
-Oh, you care for the divination's lesson?
-No I do not- he answered curtly- I care about mine. After your little show the students were so amazed that didn't shut up during my double potions lesson and that caused so many distractions that twelve cauldrons have blown up during the two hours. Also I've had to send three students to the hospital wings. Only three or four potions were acceptable and none was excellent
-Oh I'm sorry I didn't know I caused such impact on those kids. I'll keep it in mind. The students are easily impressed, noted.- she looked at Snape giving voice to one idea that had been rounding her head- I don't think you are only annoyed because the distraction I've caused, I think you are angrier because it was Harry Potter's class. What is your issue with the kid? I know he flaunts and all but what is the reason you can't stand him? You must loathe him if I noticed your dislike for him.
-It's none of your business.- Snape answered harshly and curtly
She had been looking into his eyes while she had been talking about Potter. She had seen as something flashed in his eyes, a hidden story that affected him deeply and through the tiny holes of his shield he could see powerful emotions shining there at the mention of the kid. Lara bowed internally to find what the story was to have affected so much a strong guy like him
They continued eating in silence. The students were leaving the Great Hall gradually and also the teachers were retiring for the night. In the teachers' table only remained Snape and Lara. They were both lost in their thoughts and didn't realize that the Great Hall was almost empty. All the students had gone to their respective common rooms.
-Well seems we are alone
-Like we have never been before
-Ja, but now we are alone in the Great Hall with all this food until the house elfs clean it
- The point is…
-Well we could make a food fight!
-Or not
-Oh c'mon don't be like that a little bit of fun won't hurt you
-What's the fun in getting all dirty and sticky with food.
-I understand now
-What do you understand?
-You are afraid to ruin your reputation, don't be afraid I won't tell anyone and it's completely empty so no one will be able to see you
-Have you ever heard of invisibility cloaks?
-I must say I have
-Then it's totally possible that there is someone
-No it's not
-Why's that?
-Because I would sense if there was someone else in the room and I can assure you it's empty.
-And you expect me to believe you can sense if there was anyone in this room
-Well you know you pick up a few tricks from the Dementors after working with them so long. it also helps if you naturally have keener senses. I can teach you if you desire to
-I think I'll manage just fine.
-Oh well suit yourself. The offers still stand.
He thought nothing of the plural: offers. Snape rose up and went to the door. He had his hand on the doorknob when he felt that something had crashed into his back. He turned around and looked at Lara who was sitting there with an innocent face. Slowly he touched the spot he had felt something colliding with his back. His fingers touched something sticky. He grabbed a little part of the sticky thing. It was cake. The Professor sitting in front of him had thrown him a piece of cake.
-You haven't told me if you wanted to make a food fight so I've taken the initiative.
Lara smiled sweetly. Snape didn't know what to do. He wanted to shout, to scold her, to throw her some food too. He stood there stunned. How did she dare to throw him a piece of cake.