By Fair Means or Foul

AN: This story is 21 chapters long plus an epilogue. ^_^


Chapter 2

Snape made his way to the great hall the next morning in a pensive mood. He barely glared at the group of Hufflepuffs that were loitering in the hall. So lost in thought at that moment he didn’t see their collective sighs of relief when the expected snide remark went unsaid.

What game was Lucius playing at? Now that the dangers and intrigues and espionage were over, it was actually stimulating to have this little puzzle fall into his lap. It was true that there had always been sexual tension between Lucius and he, but Snape had always chalked it up to they having a sexual past together. It had happened long ago with only the occasional trip to a discreet inn in the years since. But even those brief interludes had stopped years ago. In fact they had stopped the year Draco had come to Hogwarts and became his student. So, now, here was Lucius wanting to start things up again? Not that Snape was opposed to the idea of sharing Lucius’s bed, but he wasn’t so sure that he wanted what they had before. He had the amazing opportunity to actually plan for more than a few days. He had the luxury to want more. The freedom was quite amazing and more than a little terrifying. What did one do when one was almost sure they would live to see the next day? What he and Lucius had had was good at the time, very good if truth be told. But they were moment-to-moment encounters that never lasted to see each other wake in the morning.

Snape stopped in the middle of the empty corridor. What exactly was he thinking? Did he actually want to wake up with someone in the morning? Perhaps see them in many consecutive days? Perhaps even commit to someone now that he had that ability? Would he allow himself to just be swept up into Lucius’s web again? He didn’t know and the one thing the former spy hated most was lack of knowledge, especially when it concerned himself.

A naked winged boy took one look at the glower on the dark haired man’s face and thought better of throwing glitter on him. Instead, it made a very wise decision for a paper decoration and flew quickly out of the vicinity.

The door to the staff’s entrance to the Great Hall made a bit more noise than usual when it hit the wall with some force. Faculty, as well as students, looked up to see their potion master stalk through the entrance to his seat. Without a word to anyone he began to fill his plate with the usual sour look on his face.

“Good morning, Professor Snape,” Minerva McGonagall ventured. It always pleased her to irk the man whenever she could. He seemed in a worse mood then usual and this was when he was most fun to gently antagonize. “Sleep well I trust?”

Snape did not even attempt to be civil. Without bothering to look up he said, “Give me one reason why that has anything to do with you or why you would bother to put your confidence in my sleep habits?”

“Well, seeing as my Gryffindors will be sharing a class room with you and yours today, I had hoped that you had rested well for the trials and tribulations that you will no doubt create,” McGonagall said sweetly. “Or, perhaps, you have forgotten it was Tuesday and you have Double potions with the Gryffindors and Slytherins today?”

“I assure you that my many years teaching have quite prepared me for the task of reading a calendar. I also have some proficiency in dealing with your Gryffindors and any new levels of incompetence that they may attain while in my class.” Professor Flitwick unwisely decided to enter the conversation not noticing the dangerous currents swirling around the potion master. He leaned around McGonagall and spoke in a cheerful manner.

“You know, Professor Snape, I have always found that if one encourages the students successes they will strive harder than when one only punishes their mistakes.”

Snape slowly looked up and pinned the little professor with narrowed eyes that practically glowed with malice through the strands of ebony hair they were behind. Professor Flitwick gulped and sat back in his chair grateful to be four seats away from the large scary man.

“Really Severus, what has crawled up your robes this morning? Nothing has gone wrong with your pet project has it?” Minerva asked with all teasing aside. The man was obviously a little too close to the edge to be pushing him. He really ought to lighten up a bit in life, if you were to ask her. Perhaps it was the time of year, but Minerva really did think that Snape should get out of his lab and the dungeons and perhaps try to have some sort of love life. He was still so young that it was a shameful waste. It would no doubt put him in a better mood. She wondered if that cousin of hers was still single and perhaps willing to be fixed up. But first she would have to figure out how to inconspicuously hog tie Snape to a chair in a restaurant and coerce him to be civil.

Before Snape had the chance to answer McGonagall’s question the staff door once again opened and admitted Professor Sybil Trelawney. Trelawney glided towards her chair but then paused behind Snape. Snape gritted his teeth. He really was not in the mood for the twit. The odour of incense was overpowering and he wanted to rip all the little baubles off her to make them stop tinkling.

“Oh my no, this certainly can not go on.”

Snape merely rolled his eyes and went back to consuming his breakfast. Unfortunately, McGonagall decided to encourage the dingbat.

“What, pray tell, can not go on, Professor Trelawney?”

“Why, just look at what he is eating. That is not at all healthy or wise. Professor Snape, you should really be eating better than that. Perhaps some delicious green grapes or a delightful red apple?” Trelawney actually went about collecting the mentioned items and a few other fruits onto a plate. Snape ignored her and her excessive use of adjectives.

“Sybil, I sincerely doubt that Professor Snape will change his normal diet to include anything on that plate. I assure you, his health is not of much concern to him. He eats as he pleases,” McGonagall said. Snape remained silent but wordlessly added that when one lived with the constant threat of death one ate whatever they wanted and be damned the future consequences. The Divination teacher merrily went about answering in her dramatically loud voice.

“Well yes, his health may not be of any concern to him but what of the baby? His body will need to nourish and care for the child within. I do believe he has time before conception takes place, the fates were not as clear as one would like, but still no time like the present, hmm? Now, how about some enticing black currant juice?”

If one were to walk into the Great Hall at that moment they would be astounded at the amazing life-like waxwork dummies that were all frozen in the midst of what looked like a tasty breakfast.

Trelawney prattled on blithely unaware of the reaction she was causing. Student and faculty eyes were all on Snape who had immediately dropped his fork and whirled around none to gracefully to stare slack jawed at the witch beside him. That poor creature was still foraging about for more nutritious foods to serve to the stunned man. Finally Snape was able to gather his thoughts. Unfortunately, not all of them were gathered for he immediately stood up, toppled the chair behind him and seethed at the eccentric professor.

“How do you know that? How dare you spill out confidential information as if it were fodder for the gossip mill? You are a disgrace to the teaching profession and the fact that you haven’t the brains in that small head of yours to even remotely think that that information is privileged and not to be bandied about with your tea leaves means... that … you…” Snape stumbled to a halt as he realized that he had just done the most damage and incriminated himself with his highly emotional reaction. Without another word he wrapped his robes about him and just barely made it out of the room before bolting at high speed to the safety of his office.

In the Great Hall everyone was still immobile with shock. Trelawney looked about, blinked through her large glasses and looked completely confused.

“Was it something I said?”