-19-
Five days goes by, which means I need to return the book Snape borrowed. As I enter the Potions classroom, I see it's empty. We still don't have official professor to teach the Defence Against the Dark Arts for full time, so Snape must be coming this way from the D.A.D.A.'s classroom at the moment. Knowing there is no change for me to place the book back up to the shelf where it should be, so I walk up to his desk to put it there. Thinking this way I make sure he knows I have return it. When I place the book on the surface, I get a flashback to the moment when Snape stood behind me and handed me the book when I couldn't reach it. How he was towering over me. How close he was standing... A blush raises up on my cheeks. "Professor (Y/L)?" familiar deep voice calls at the door. That makes me jump a little:"Yes?!".
Snape is standing there, slightly surprised to see me here. "Sneaking in my class? Thought we made an agreement." he says with monotonic tone, hinting the promise we made at the Hospital Wing. "I-I wasn't sneaking! I came to return this." I exclaim and show him the book. There is a tiny smirk corner of Snape's mouth. Looks like he is proud he got the reaction out of me. This man... He seems to do that a lot lately. These past few days, he has kept twisting my words and actions in his own way to annoy me every time we meet. Guess that's what he does to other professors too? But because he always ends up smiling a little, I don't mind it. He then starts slowly coming towards me:"Did it reach for your expectations?". "The-the book? Oh, yes. It was very delightful. Thank you again for borrowing it." I smile.
Then he stops right in front of me, leaving less space between us than normally whenever we happen to run into each other in the hallways to chat. It somehow makes me feel nervous. Snape lowers his eyes and sees I'm holding another book in my hand. I see his stare:"Ah, this is the book I told you about. The Half Blood Prince.". No answer. Eager to show it to him, I open the book and turn my back facing him:"Look at all of these markings. Like this one here! It never even crossed my mind you could squeeze the Sopophorus bean. It says to cut it in the text book.". No answer. "This one was really clever too..!" showing another page and turn my head to see his reaction. Then I realize how close we are actually standing. My back is basically brushing against his torso. And I can feel the heat radiating from his body. After realizing all of this, my heart starts to beat faster.
Then, I quickly turn back to the book and flip few pages:"An-and these spells... These are the reason I took it away from Potter.". That gets his attention:"Potter?". I nod:"Yes, he had this in my cla..-", the book just whooshes above me as Snape snatches it out of my hands. Huh? "Thank you, (Y/L). I shall... Have a look at it, later." he walks up to the desk. "You-you're welcome." my voice sound like a whisper. Snape puts the Half Blood Prince's book inside one of his drawers and puts the book I returned back to the shelf to its place. Somehow, after he left beside me, I felt this cold breeze crawling on my back. Quickly shook my head to get my thoughts in order. Then we both start to head out of the classroom. Thinking he might be heading to the Great Hall for dinner. I have couple things to do in the Greenhouse, so I won't be heading there just yet.
When we come out of the dungeons, I turn to him with a smile:"I'll give you a week to read the book. After that, I want it on my desk, seven sharp.". Little bit mocking the way he has ordered me in the past. No answer. Then I turn back on him and start walking away:"I'll see you tomor..-", Snape holds on to the hood part of my Herbology robe and I get yanked:"Where do you think you are wandering off to?". Quickly turn around to look at him confused:"What you mean?". He lets go of the hood and his hands disappears under his cape. "Have you forgotten? Headmaster will announce the new professor for the Defence Against the Dark Arts at dinner this evening." he explain. "Oh! Totally forgot about that..." I chuckle. He does a little inhale and exhale thru his nose before speaking:"Does the school need to provide you a Remembrall to help you at your job, Professor (Y/L)?". There is that tiny smirk again. Frowning annoyed:"Now listen here yo..-", "Ah, Professors! Heading to the Great Hall, I presume." Lockhart walks up to us.
The small smile Snape had, faded immediately when he heard the familiar joyful voice. Both of our heads turns to the History of Magic Professor's direction. "Evening, Lockhart." I nod with polite smile. Snape stays quiet and just stares at the man with bored look on his face. Soon after, all three of us start walking towards the Great Hall. "Have you heard who's going to be our new teacher?" Lockhart asks. "No, no idea." I admit. The Potions Master keeps on walking three steps ahead of us. "Me neither. Whoever it is, has big boots to fill - so to speak." Lockhart chuckles. I nod:"Mm, it must be hard to gain the trust Remus had with the stude..-", "Remus? Remus Lupin? Totally forgot about he was the one after me. Hahaha!" he laughs. How conceited someone can be?!
Lockhart sighs and wraps his arm around my shoulders like a snake while walking:"Oh, dear (Y/N). You should have seen when I was teaching the Defence Arts...". Don't know what to do here, so I just keep on walking awkwardly. He is very touchy person, isn't he? He continue:"Unfortunately, Albus thought my powerful spells might frightened the students, so much so, he asked me to teach the History of Magic instead.". Snape slower his steps, so he ends up breaking the touch between me and Lockhart. Now he's walking between us like he didn't just do that on purpose. "That is why you didn't block my unfriendly spell when we were showing the second years how to duel?" Snape asks with his usual monotonic tone. These two have dueled? Oh, I'd pay to see that! It got Lockhart uncomfortable:"Well, you see, Severus..-", "There you are!" Minerva spots us other side of the hallway. My face lights up when I see her:"Minerva!". She keeps waving her hand us to hurry:"Come quick! Headmaster is just about to start.".
As we enter the Great Hall from the side door, Minerva rushes to her seat, us following right behind. The room is crowded with students who are all talking loud in their own tables. All of the professors goes to sit down to their own seats, ready for the announcement. Just when I'm about to approach my seat, Snape goes and sits there. Huh? No one says anything, only me and Professor Flitwick exchange the 'are you seeing what I'm seeing?' - glance. After all, Snape was very persistent on my first day here where he sits. Quietly, I go sit between Flitwick and the Potions Master. Lockhart smiles and nods to everyone around the High Table, but that smile soon drops when he finally turns to see Snape himself is sitting right next to him instead of me. Snape just keeps ignoring us and acts like he hasn't done anything odd.
Quickly scanning the room, I see the new teacher sitting in Remus's place. A woman. Wearing pink head to toe. She looks very smiley and kind. Can't help, but smile too. Headmaster began his speech, starting with explaining how the holidays are coming closer and closer. That is why each student needs to inform the Head of their House's who's going to stay here in Hogwarts for Christmas and those who don't. All of the students are smiling and started to whisper to each other what they're going to do when the time comes. It makes me smile too, since I love Christmas and I'm planning on visiting aunt-Ruby. Ah, all the food she makes... So delicious! Snape sees corner of his eye I'm daydreaming, so he gives a tiny nudge on side of my arm with his elbow to gain back my focus. "We also wish to welcome our new Defence Against the Dark Arts teacher, Professor Dolores Umbridge." Dumbledore points at the pink lady in the corner. She lets out a small giggle as she hears her name.
Dumbledore continues:"...and I'm sure you'll all join me in wishing the Professor good luck.". She and I make a quick eye contact and share a smile. She must be Hufflepuff fellow. Headmaster then keeps on with the speech:"As usual, our caretaker Mister Filch has asked me to remind you..-", Umbridge giggles again, this time little bit more louder than last time. That got all of our attention and we turn to look at her, slightly confused what's going on. Slowly, she raises from the seat and starts approaching Headmaster:"Thank you, Headmaster, for those kind words of welcome.". Bold move to stand up like that. Remembering my awkward standing up and waving back on my very first day here... She walks in front of Dumbledore and takes a look at the students:"And how lovely to see all your bright, happy faces smiling up at me. I'm sure we're all going to be very good friends.". The way she talks... It reminds me the way people likes to talk to little children. Maybe I'm just imagining things.
It turns out, Dolores Umbridge is part of the Ministry of Magic. Bet they ordered her to come here after they had discussed what to do with Remus. Hard to tell if it's a good thing or not. While Umbridge keeps on talking something about how she wishes to see and strives for perfection, I glance the man next to me. Can't tell if he's happy about our new teacher or not. They both seem so opposite of each other. Umbridge, who's wearing all pink and seems to be happy 24/7 vs Snape, who always wears black and is moody 24/7.
Giving a tiny nudge on his arm that is resting on the table. That got Snape's attention and he shifts his eyes on me without turning his head towards me. Giving him the 'what do you think about our new teacher?' - look. Snape rolls his eyes unnoticeably which makes me let out a quiet chuckle. She's not that bad. Even Umbridge has her back facing us, I just know she heard my little chuckle. Shit. Hope she doesn't think I just laughed at her. I just thought Snape's reaction was hilarious and couldn't keep it in. Nah, she seems like a mellow person. She'll understand.