To Covet and Consume

I take my usual seat next to Minerva. I am quite thankful the woman is not capable of Legilimency fore the thoughts churning in my mind are nothing if not sinful. I sit still and eye the most recent to be sorted into my house. Draco has already taken it upon himself to threaten, demean and enslave a few of my first years. Lucius would be so proud. My eyes detour to the main entrance as if willing my little Head Girl to make an appearance. Her two lackeys are already present and accounted for.



Potter is sitting next to the only slightly intelligent child to come from Molly’s womb, Miss Weasley. She has grown up quite a bit over the summer. I believe Potter is even beginning to ogle the poor girl slightly. Hmmm… now she would not be a terrible choice for Head Girl next year. I must remember to mention her to Minerva.



My thoughts are interrupted by Minerva’s most recent pride and joy making her entrance. Miss Granger walks to her seat next to Mr. Weasley with such confident grace. She holds her head high even after a terribly funny comment made by Miss Parkinson comparing the position of Head Girl to ones talent in the oral sex arena.



“That was terribly rude Severus!” Minerva hisses in my ear. “You must reprimand her.” I say nothing and casually sip my tea which aggravates Minerva more.



Miss Granger takes her seat and starts to fill her plate. I watch her interact with her group of peers. I notice when Potter leans over and asks her a question, which appears on his part to be completely innocent; she blushes. It seems both Potter and I are confused by her reaction. I wish I knew what the Boy Wonder asked her. Perhaps he was enquiring how well she slept. This thought, and the pink tint on her skin, has brought a smile to my own face. I also get a glimpse of her face as she laughs at something Mr. Weasley has said, and then laughs much harder at his sister’s rebuttal.



At Mr. Weasley’s scornful look at his sibling my payment decides to take her leave. She smiles politely at her group of friends then pulls her school bag over her shoulder. As she tightens her strap her eyes look up casually and meet mine full on. By the color that returns to her face I am sure we are both shocked to find the other staring. She graces me with a quick, embarrassed smile before turning and exiting the Great Hall. I chance a look about the room. No one seemed to notice our exchange, not even her Head of House.



Of course my initial urge is to follow her, but I remain seated and leisurely sip my horribly weak tea and nibble on the buttered toast in front of me. After enough time has passed I too decide to leave this mornings social. I politely nod to Minerva and wish her a good day and she bids me the same.



Oh, I am quite sure it will be.



The shy smile Miss Granger left me with has me wondering and unable to concentrate on anything other then locating her. Discreetly, of course. It is not unusual for me to walk about the castle after meals. I generally do so because after meals are the moments when students are up to no good. Free time is never an intelligent thing to give hormonal minds.



I stalk towards the library, eager to get there but still thoroughly checking each possible area the little prats could hide for a morning snog. I only catch a pair of sniveling inexperienced third years. I believe they are the only set of lab partners yet to destroy any of my lab equipment. I thank them for this small favor by only extracting 10 points from each, rather then my customary and expected 25. For a pair of third years they surprisingly hold their ground long enough to apologize before skittering off towards their common room.



Once in the library I begin to scan the new release section, while covertly searching for her. She is quite predictable. As per usual she is seated in the far corner of the library, the same tucked away area I used to frequent while a student here. I watch her from between the books.



“If you are attempting to locate Pomentes’ Powerful Potions vol. 8783,” I spin around to find myself face to face with Pince. “I must apologize, it seems Miss Granger has beat you to it this month Severus.”



“I think not!” I say in a huff. I completely forgot the journal was set to arrive this morning. I had much more entertaining thoughts bubbling in my mind and they were not of cauldrons, but I play up my anger as Pince is expecting. “I am always the first to read it. Miss Granger might ruin it by dog earring the pages. This will not do!”



“This is my library Severus and you will conduct yourself accordingly,” She hisses. “Lower your voice now! You may attempt to convince her to let you read it first but the new releases are first come first read. You know this.”



I lower my voice as told. “Of course, Madam. I shall take my request to Miss Granger with a level tone.”



“Thank you Severus. Good day to you.” She moves back towards her perch at the front desk.



No need to actually anger the stern witch. She is a great acquaintance to have here at Hogwarts. Daily, when she receives new material, she personally scans each to see the quality of information the school is purchasing, and many times articles on the latest potion discoveries are delivered directly to me via a house elf. First come first read be damned.