A Dark Scenario

Chapter 19 ~ Christmas Surprise

Of course, the incident that occurred in Hogsmeade was big news in the Prophet the following day, and everyone in the Great Hall, students and staff members alike had their noses stuck in the periodical, and shot glances at Hermione and Minerva. Snape was notoriously absent. Both witches fielded questions however, saying they simply were defending a staff member.

When Snape met with Minerva two days later and she informed him of his demotion from Hogsmeade duties, they said nothing about the articles. But that same day, there was an op-ed by the infamous Rita Skeeter entitled, "Murder on the Streets of Hogsmeade" which decried Snape's defense of his person.

"Clearly, Severus Snape was more than equal to the task of mowing down a wizard far less skilled than he," the article ranted. "Due to his skills in the Dark Arts, his wand should be listed as a deadly weapon, and his response considered excessive. Is it always about death with this wizard?"

The article also questioned Hermione's part in the incident, especially how she fought by the side of someone who had taken advantage of her. Rita certainly had a poison quill.

"This is pure tripe," Hermione seethed, shaking out the paper violently as if Rita could feel her wrath.

In her classes, students looked at her curiously, their unspoken questions filling the classroom. Was Professor Granger secretly involved with Professor Snape? He had appeared in the cloud after all, and he had saved her life.

Again.

Something really could be going on.

Snape was snarkier than usual, and took a record number of points from his students that day. No one dared muse about the possibility the Dark wizard was shagging the Charms Mistress in his classroom.

"Focus on your work!" Snape snarled, slamming his hand down on his desk with such force, a cup of quills turned over.

"Bloody Prophet," he hissed under his breath as he straightened his desk.

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Christmas vacation was fast approaching, and Snape found himself being summoned by Minerva after classes. He arrived at her office to find her seated with a stack of parchment before her, and her expression both tired and exasperated. He took a seat.

"Severus, what are your holiday plans?" the headmistress asked him bluntly.

Snape hesitated. He had no plans other to enjoy the emptiness of the castle while the student were on break and to possibly get in a bit of private brewing during the lull.

"May I ask why you are inquiring, Headmistress?" he countered.

Minerva sighed and shifted through a few parchments.

"We've gone a bit over-budget with our potions ingredients this term, Severus," she said, pushing a parchment toward him. He picked it up and studied it.

"An understatement. What is Slughorn doing? My expenditures per students were never this high," Snape observed, frowning slightly.

"He says that because of the instability of the past few years, students aren't exactly up to par and he is having to compensate by doing additional reviews of techniques with each class, and so is using double the ingredients," Minerva replied, shaking her head.

"I see."

Minerva looked at him furtively.

"Severus, I have a request of you," she began, hesitating slightly.

Snape simply raised an eyebrow and didn't reply. The headmistress cleared her throat.

"I'd like you to collect several ingredients over the holidays. Enough to last the rest of the year. Here is a list of what is needed, and Hogwarts will cover any expenses. It will be far less costly than purchasing them."

Snape looked at the list and both of his eyebrows rose. He looked up at Minerva.

"I have no problem with harvesting these ingredients, Minerva, but the amounts are daunting to say the least—"

"Oh, that's wonderful, Severus!" Minerva exclaimed, latching on to his willingness like an iron vise. "And don't worry. You will have assistance."

"Assistance?"

"Yes, the Charms Mistress will accompany you," she said.

Snape scowled blackly.

"The Charms Mistress?"

"Yes. She was also very accomplished in Potions and has an extensive knowledge concerning harvesting. With her Charms abilities, she will be a great help to you. She's already agreed to do it."

"With me?"

Minerva hesitated.

"Well, I decided to bring you on board afterwards. Although you are the Defense Against the Dark Arts teacher, your skill and abilities with potions is formidable. Besides, Horace is quite up in age and wouldn't be able to deliver the volume you and Professor Granger could," the witch said.

Snape scowled down at the parchment.

"Perhaps she'll refuse when she finds out I am to accompany her," Snape said.

"I highly doubt that. Hermione has a powerful sense of duty. She wouldn't back out, especially if the students' studies would suffer as a result."

Snape sighed.

"Very well," he conceded.

"Excellent. I'll work on an itinerary immediately. I will arrange transportation and lodging for the both of you," she said happily.

Snape rolled up the list of ingredients and stuck them in his inner robes pocket. He looked at Minerva.

"I suppose there will be a bonus?" he asked her.

"Yes, there will be. And that bonus will be the satisfaction you feel at doing something for the school," Minerva said with a twinkle in her eyes that was nearly as annoying as Albus' glitter.

Snape snorted and stood up.

"That will go far at Gringotts," he muttered sarcastically before excusing himself.

Minerva smiled and set about making the arrangements.

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/N: Sorry it's so short, but it wasn't easy to get back to writing. I've had a toothache for weeks, and when I went to have it pulled, my blood pressure was too high to do it. So, I've developed an addiction to advil, which I'm out of and am just trying to cope. I go to the doctor tomorrow and the dentist next Tuesday. Hopefully, he'll be able to yank it. Sorry to whine, but . . . :::shrugs::: Still, I'm still around and thank you for reading. ***