The Professor

Chapter


Severus’ body tensed like a cat ready to pounce. He was afraid. Not of the person lurking in the shadows, but for Chloe. He was not completely healed from his traumatic injuries. He was not ready to face off with anyone yet. Much less, try to protect Chloe at the same time.

He swiftly pulled his wand from his pocket and pointed it in the direction of the figure in the darkness, who seemed to have it’s back to them.

“Severus…” Chloe whispered. Her hands clutched his robes. He moved her behind him and spread his feet apart, readying himself for an attack.

“Be quiet.” he hissed. But the shadowy figure must have heard them. The looming figure turned around and stumbled.

“Who’s out there?” A bellowing voice greeted their ears. Chloe rested her head on Severus’ back and laughed with relief.

Hagrid.

‘Hey! I said who’s there! You ain’t ‘possed to be here.” Hagrid’s voice was booming across the school lawn. “Show yerself or else…”

Severus lowered his wand and cursed under his breath. Chloe stepped out from behind Severus and waved her arms at Hagrid.

“Hagrid, it’s me! Professor Browning!” She tried to be quiet, but Hagrid was still a ways away.

“Who’s that with ya? What are ya doin’ out here at this time o’night? Hey! Who’s with ya I said?” His voice was so loud that animals were scurrying from their hiding places and birds were taking flight from the trees. Chloe couldn’t stop laughing and Severus seemed to be creating new curse words under his breath.

“Hagrid! Keep your voice down! It’s me and Professor Snape!” Hagrid was close enough now to see who he was talking to and they could see that he was stone drunk. His eyes were not focusing very well and in his hand he carried a pink umbrella and a bottle of amber liquid.

“What in the name of Merlin are you two doin’ out here? There’s all sorts of thins out here at night! It ain’t safe to be out here at this o’night you know!” Severus looked as if he was rethinking cursing him because Chloe saw him lift his wand up a fraction and then lower it again.

‘Severus and I were taking a walk Hagrid. Please…keep your voice down. You’re gong to wake the entire castle.” Chloe finally got control over her giggle fit and stepped in front of Hagrid.

“A walk?” he looked utterly confused, as if he had never heard of people taking a walk before. Then, comprehension began to grow in his face. Chloe raised her eye brows as his tiny little beetle like eyes grew to twice their size. He looked from Chloe to Severus and then back again. He roared with laughter. Whatever animals that didn’t take off in his last yelling fit, flew into the night sky with his booming laughter.

“Hagrid! Shhh! Be quiet, please!” Chloe was trying to calm Hagrid and also keep an eye on Severus who was seething.

“You and Professor Snape! I shoulda known. You…and him…” His words were interrupted by more laughter that brought him leaning forward with his hands on his knees. Chloe was getting a little agitated and was wondering if Severus knew of a charm to silence the giant man.

“Drunk overgrown buffoon.” Severus hissed. “Shut up!” Hagrid continued to laugh and his enormous body shook terribly with the effort.

“I guess…I got ter wash all the windows with me knickers after all…eh Chloe?” This sent him into renewed fits of laughter and Chloe rolled her eyes. She turned to Severus and motioned for them to leave. Severus looked as though he was still struggling with himself as to cursing Hagrid or not, but Chloe pulled his sleeve.

From the Front of the castle, light flooded the lawn. Severus began cursing under his breath with renewed vigor as silhouettes of people began pouring from the doors. Chloe’s face blushed red as she saw Albus, Minerva, Professor Lupin, Professor Sprout and two students, who were prefects , step out from the doors of the castle…all with their wands drawn.

Chloe looked back at Severus and saw his nostrils flaring and his mouth a thin whit line.

“Profesor Dumbledore sir! I found me two rouge teachers! They were out for a stroll…” Still laughing Chloe stepped back to face the group of very stunned people. She swallowed hard.

“Professor Snape, Professor Browning...what on earth is going on?” Minerva spoke. Chloe was surprised she could hold her wand steady after her night of drinking so much wine. She guess correctly that Minerva had taken a sobering draught earlier.

Chloe’s eyes fell on Albus who had a small smile playing on his mouth. His eyes danced as they flicked back and forth between Severus and Chloe.

Severus found his voice first.

“We were walking and ran into this…drunken buffoon.” Severus pointed at Hagrid and being called a buffoon sent him into peels of laughter again. He actually started making monkey sounds.

“Minerva, would you see Hagrid back home please?” Minerva cast one more very stunned look over her shoulder as she helped Hagrid stand. She walked him back into the darkness, holding her wand out in front of them light a flashlight. The crowd was very quiet now.

“The prefects heard yelling outside and alerted us. I assume it was Hagrid?” Chloe noted the laughter in Albus’ voice.

“Yes.’ hissed Severus. Chloe was fighting a smile and nodded along with him.

“Very well. Severus, Chloe.” he nodded to each of them and turned to return to the castle. Everyone of the people that followed in his wake were still sporting some extremely shocked faces.

Especially the students.

Severus and Chloe joined the rear of the party returning inside and the wooden doors closed with a bang.

Chloe had a sense of dread fill her then. Everyone would know about them come tomorrow at breakfast. She supposed it was fine if the staff knew, but her students? What would Severus say? He would surely want to distance himself now. Chloe felt her heart breaking as she glanced at Severus. His face was hard and tense.

He did not look at her.

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A/N: Thanks for the wonderful reviews! I actually have this all written out nw. So if you like...I can post it much more often! *lol* I just love hearing from you guys! Hope you enjoy it! please let me know what you think!